The Hard Skills

What happens when tech built to boost performance erodes trust? We unpack the legal, cultural, and human cost—and how leaders can protect psychological safety.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:Imagine discovering that the same workplace tech meant to make your job easier is quietly dismantling trust, blurring boundaries, and draining morale. In this episode of The Hard Skills, we pull back the curtain on how tools like productivity trackers, AI decision-making, and remote monitoring reshape not just workflows—but the culture, safety, and well-being of entire teams. You’ll hear how leaders face a growing legal and ethical duty of care in tech-integrated workplaces, and what it takes to meet that responsibility in real terms—not just policy statements. We explore the blind spots that make even well-intentioned technology harmful, the risks that can spiral into legal exposure, and the choices that can either protect or undermine psychological safety.If you’ve ever wondered whether the systems you’ve built are quietly shaping a culture you didn’t intend, start here. This isn’t theory—it’s a deep, unflinching look at the human side of workplace tech. ***ABOUT OUR GUEST:Dr. Cameron Stockdale is an internationally recognized leader in organizational behaviour, workplace wellness, and change leadership. He is the former CEO of the Work Wellness Institute and currently serves as Chair of the International Leadership Association’s Healthcare Leadership Community and Vice Chair of the Executive Health and Safety Council of British Columbia. With over 25 years of experience in emergency health services, Dr. Stockdale brings a practical and policy-informed perspective to the intersection of health, leadership, and innovation. He holds a Doctor of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership (Creighton), a Master of Laws in Innovation and Technology (Edinburgh), a Master of Arts in Leadership (Guelph), and a postgraduate certificate in Organizational Behaviour from Harvard. Dr. Stockdale holds both national and provincial appointments advising Canadian governments on workplace policy and legislative change. His current research explores how emerging technologies influence psychological safety, legal accountability, and leadership practices in modern workplaces undergoing rapid transformation.***IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE, CAN I ASK A FAVOR?We do not receive any funding or sponsorship for this podcast. If you learned something and feel others could also benefit, please leave a positive review. Every review helps amplify our work and visibility. This is especially helpful for small women-owned boot-strapped businesses. Simply go to the bottom of the Apple Podcast page to enter a review. Thank you!***LINKS:www.gotowerscope.comhttps://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-hard-skills-dr-mira-brancu-m0QzwsFiBGE/https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-cameron-stockdale-388b4b46/#PsychologicalSafety #Trust #Tech #AI #LawTune in for this empowering conversation at TalkRadio.nyc

Imagine discovering the hidden traits quietly sabotaging your leadership. This episode reveals the 11 risks that can derail even the most promising careers.Leadership failure rates remain shockingly high—studies show that 50% to 75% of leaders are ineffective. Why? Because their hidden personality-based risk factors are quietly sabotaging performance, communication, and team results. Most leaders don’t even know these risks exist, let alone how to manage them. In this episode, we’ll uncover what’s really behind poor leadership—beyond skills or knowledge—and explore a breakthrough approach to improving leadership effectiveness at every level. You’ll learn why traditional development falls short, how to recognize your own derailers, and what leaders must do differently to succeed. It’s time to stop tolerating mediocre leadership and start raising the bar—with data, accountability, and coaching that goes beneath the surface.Imagine this: You’re confident in your skills, respected for your expertise—and yet, under pressure, something subtle starts eroding your impact. Missteps you can’t quite explain. Tension in conversations you thought you handled well. That’s not bad luck—it’s likely your personality-based risk factors at work. In this episode of The Hard Skills, we go beneath the surface of leadership. You’ll hear why half of leaders fail—not because they lack ambition or know-how, but because of how their hidden derailers quietly sabotaged their performance, relationships, and results. We unpack the 11 risks that can wreck even the strongest careers, how to recognize them in yourself and others, and what to do to stop them before they stop you. At the end, our guest will offer a free eBook so you can start your own self-awareness journey!Nancy Parsons is a recognized expert in blending the science of assessments with the art of developing people. She is the co-founder and CEO of CDR Companies, creators of the powerful CDR 3-Dimensional Assessment Suite® and the 360 Leader Scan. In 2020, Nancy led the launch of the award-winning True Talent Coach (formerly CDR-U Coach), the first digital avatar coaching platform delivering personalized debriefs and action planning to employees at all levels. A recipient of the MEECO International Thought Leadership of Distinction in Executive Coaching, Nancy is also the author of Women Are Creating the Glass Ceiling & Have the Power to End It, an Amazon #1 Bestseller. She provides executive coaching across industries, leads strategic team development sessions, and trains coaches worldwide through the CDR Executive Coaches’ Certification. Nancy’s work is data-driven, deep, and transformational—equipping leaders to overcome risks and achieve sustainable performance.:#riskassessment, #derailers, #LeadershipCoaching #ExecutiveCoaching tools, #Coaching Feedback #DigitalCoachingTune in for this empowering conversation at TalkRadio.nyc

WHAT WILL THE AUDIENCE LEARN? What if tension isn’t a threat—but the key to breakthrough thinking and faster decisions? What if the conflict you’re avoiding is the conversation your team desperately needs?In this episode, you’ll learn:- Why the conflicts they're avoiding are actually the breakthrough conversations their organizations desperately need- Why "keeping the peace" during rapid change leads to slower decisions, missed opportunities, and eventual explosions- A practical framework for distinguishing between destructive drama and productive friction that accelerates results- How to transform exhausted, resistant teams into engaged problem-solvers who thrive on complexity during rapid changeWe’re not just talking about friction—we’re reframing it. This episode invites you to rethink everything you’ve been taught about conflict in leadership. Most high-achievers believe that success comes from maintaining control, smoothing over disagreements, and keeping the peace. But what if that’s exactly what’s holding your team back?In this raw and real conversation, we dig into how avoiding tension delays progress, waters down innovation, and breeds quiet resistance that shows up when it matters most. You'll learn how to move from suppression to strategic friction—where tough conversations fuel creativity, unlock alignment, and accelerate results.This episode is a mirror for leaders who feel stuck in endless consensus-building or exhausted by invisible resistance. It’s a wake-up call for those who fear conflict but crave momentum. If you’ve ever wondered why your smartest teams still stall out, this one’s for you.You’ll walk away with:- A blueprint for productive conflict that accelerates change- New language for managing competing priorities under pressure- Real-world stories of what actually works when the stakes are highIf you’re ready to stop walking on eggshells and start leading with clarity—press play.***ABOUT OUR GUEST:Alexandra Prassas is an Organizational Effectiveness leader with 20+ years in the People & Culture space. Currently she partners with organizations to realize growth strategies through optimizing People systems, leadership, and organization design, and is passionate about helping leaders harness organizational tensions to drive breakthrough results during rapid change and transformation. Previously, she led global Organization Development and DEI functions internally and Change Management for large-scale transformations externally, empowering companies across a range of industries to navigate organizational evolution. Alix serves as Adjunct Faculty in IO-Psychology at The Chicago School, President of ACMP Midwest, and Lead for Culture First Chicago. She is a PhD candidate in Organizational Leadership.***IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE, CAN I ASK A FAVOR?We do not receive any funding or sponsorship for this podcast. If you learned something and feel others could also benefit, please leave a positive review. Every review helps amplify our work and visibility. This is especially helpful for small women-owned boot-strapped businesses. Simply go to the bottom of the Apple Podcast page to enter a review. Thank you!***LINKS:www.gotowerscope.comhttps://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-hard-skills-dr-mira-brancu-m0QzwsFiBGE/https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandraprassas/#OrganizationalEffectiveness #ProductiveConflict #TheHardSkillsTune in for this empowering conversation at TalkRadio.nyc

How do you live a fulfilling life? It’s not riches, it’s impact and legacy.  In this episode, you will learn how you can quantify mentoring, volunteering, and philanthropy so you can better understand how much impact you make every day, how to build and leave a rewarding legacy, and how to create a highly generative life. We all want to have impact, whether it is at work, at home, or in our communities. And while we are striving to make an impact, we might not even realize the impact we're already making! There is a way to find out about our impact and just how deep our footprint is by understanding mentorship, legacy, and generativity. We'll also unpack the emotional science behind mentorship—and how to give, find, and recognize it when it’s real. If you’ve ever craved guidance but didn’t know how to ask… or if you’ve been called a mentor without knowing what that really meant… this conversation will name what’s been missing.***ABOUT OUR GUEST:Dr. Deborah Heiser is an applied developmental psychologist, Founder of My Legacy Tree, and author of The Mentorship Edge. She is a TEDx speaker, member of Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches, Thinkers 50 Radar List, expert contributor to Psychology Today and is also an Adjunct Professor.***IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE, CAN I ASK A FAVOR?We do not receive any funding or sponsorship for this podcast. If you learned something and feel others could also benefit, please leave a positive review. Every review helps amplify our work and visibility. This is especially helpful for small women-owned boot-strapped businesses. Simply go to the bottom of the Apple Podcast page to enter a review. Thank you!***LINKS:www.gotowerscope.comhttps://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-hard-skills-dr-mira-brancu-m0QzwsFiBGE/https://deborahheiser.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-heiser-phd/ https://www.youtube.com/@DebbieHeiser https://substack.com/@deborahheiserphdTune in for this empowering conversation at TalkRadio.nyc

Ever wonder what it's like to start and keep a podcast going? For my 100th episode I'm celebrating by sharing some insights, lessons learned, surprising benefits, and the greatest challenges I've faced so far hosting a radio broadcast and podcast show.Today we are celebrating the 100th episode of The Hard Skills!! It is no easy feat to show up consistently like this and plan things out each week, it’s also a great topic for this Season’s Focus on Endurance in Leadership. To celebrate 100 episodes, I’m going to “keep it 100” for you - I’m sharing:- 3 reasons I started podcasting- 4 insights about the time and cost resources needed- 3 challenges about finding the right guests- 4 unexpected benefits- 3 mistakes and blunders- 4 surprising successes, and - what I have found tp be the hardest partThat’s 22 insights and lessons learned over the course of the 100 episodes I’ve done. So come join me and get the inside peek behind the scenes!www.gotowerscope.com:#BehindTheScenes #PodcastingLife #TheHardSkillsTune in for this empowering conversation at TalkRadio.nyc

Sport isn’t just a game—it’s a mirror of society and a powerful, untapped educational force with implications for life, learning, and leading. Tune in for an honest, inspiring, and research-backed conversation that might just change your perspectives on sports, yourself, and leadership.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:In this episode, Dr. Erianne Weight joins us to examine the leadership pipeline in sport—from the foundational levels of youth coaching to the high-stakes environments of college and professional athletics. We explore the systemic flaws that limit both athlete and coach development, and how these challenges reflect broader issues in leadership and education. As Dr. Weight puts it, "If we truly want to develop leaders and experts—not just in sport, but in life—we have to stop treating sport like a sideshow and start recognizing it as a core part of education." Dr. Weight will describe how sport and education should go hand-in-hand and how it can be a powerful vehicle for developing expertise, identity, and leadership capacity. This conversation is for anyone interested in personal growth, organizational change, or rethinking the role of sport in society.***ABOUT OUR GUEST:Dr. Erianne Weight is a Professor of Sport Administration at UNC-Chapel Hill and Director of the Center for Research in Intercollegiate Athletics. A former Division I heptathlete, she holds a Ph.D. in Sport Management from Indiana University, an M.B.A. from the University of Utah, and a Bachelor's degree in Exercise and Sport Science. She has published over 100 peer-reviewed works on college sport, leadership, and systemic reform. Her research focuses on aligning athletic systems with educational values, advancing athlete well-being, and developing pathways for expertise development. Passionate about education and equity, Dr. Weight is helping shape the future of sport through both scholarship and practice.***IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE, CAN I ASK A FAVOR?We do not receive any funding or sponsorship for this podcast. If you learned something and feel others could also benefit, please leave a positive review. Every review helps amplify our work and visibility. This is especially helpful for small women-owned boot-strapped businesses. Simply go to the bottom of the Apple Podcast page to enter a review. Thank you!***LINKS:www.gotowerscope.comhttps://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-hard-skills-dr-mira-brancu-m0QzwsFiBGE/www.erianneweight.com#SportIsScience #LeadershipAndAthletics #LearningAndAthletics #TheHardSkills #LeadershipDevelopmentTune in for this empowering conversation at TalkRadio.nyc

Are you the kind of person who takes pride in sticking it out during difficult work situation to the point where you don’t always know when it’s time to move on or have any strategy for how to know when to endure and when to move on? We can definitely all grow from those tough experiences. But there is also growth in the wisdom gained from knowing how to strategically use the right timing to move on. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:Dr. Sonja Batten has taken multiple bold moves in her career, moving across sectors and leadership roles. In this episode, we'll take an insider's look into what one leader learned (good and bad) about taking big leaps, especially when others might not. ***ABOUT OUR GUEST:Dr. Sonja Batten is an experienced and transformational leader, with demonstrated success in the private sector consulting, government health care, and nonprofit industries. Sonja has provided her unique blend of candid, decisive, and sometimes vulnerable leadership in policy, administrative, clinical, research, and academic contexts, having served as an executive at a Fortune 500 company, a Chief Clinical Officer at a fast-growing nonprofit, and a Senior Executive in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. She was also the first Deputy Director of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, as well as the first Associate Director for Women’s Health Research at Yale University. In addition to being a licensed clinical psychologist, she is also a Certified Executive Coach, and Change Management Practitioner, and provides training to mental health practitioners around in the world on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Dr. Batten has expertise in authentic leadership style and voice and has authored two books and dozens of scientific articles. ***IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE, CAN I ASK A FAVOR?We do not receive any funding or sponsorship for this podcast. If you learned something and feel others could also benefit, please leave a positive review. Every review helps amplify our work and visibility. This is especially helpful for small women-owned boot-strapped businesses. Simply go to the bottom of the Apple Podcast page to enter a review. Thank you!***LINKS:www.gotowerscope.comhttps://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-hard-skills-dr-mira-brancu-m0QzwsFiBGE/www.flexibleedgesolutions.com www.sonjabatten.com#FederalCareer#FindingYourVoice#CareerPath#ItsAllInTheTiming#TheHardSkillsTune in for this empowering conversation at TalkRadio.nyc

What if the way your organization measures success is quietly setting you up to fail? What if you've been measuring the wrong things to meet a strategic outcome. This episode unpacks how avoiding failure—not just chasing wins—might be the smarter strategic move, and a smart farmework for how to do it. We’re not just challenging metrics—we’re rethinking meaning. In this conversation with Mark L. Vincent, we explore what organizations don’t measure, why qualitative signals matter more than they seem, and how chasing only what’s easy to quantify can quietly corrode strategic progress.You’ll hear how seasoned leaders fall into traps by overlooking process in favor of performance, and how shifting your lens to include failure-prevention and systems-level insight can transform how you lead. This isn’t another conversation about KPIs—it’s a deep dive into the hidden architecture of impact. If you’ve ever been part of a strategy that looked good on paper but broke down in practice, this episode will name what you felt but couldn’t quite explain.***ABOUT OUR GUEST:A Process Consulting pioneer and Systems Convener with more than 30 years of service as an Executive Advisor and Corporate Board Member, Mark's Executive Advising practice walks alongside a global Client base, including artful convening and facilitation of organizational systems facing complex scenarios. Mark established and guided Design Group International, the Society for Process Consulting, and Maestro-level leaders. A content contributor across various channels and a frequent dynamic presenter, his latest book, Listening Helping Learning, reveals the core competencies of Process Consulting and how to develop help in partnership with Clients. Dividing time between Boise, St. Louis, and frequent travel, he is committed to the hope of our grandchildren's grandchildren. ***IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE, CAN I ASK A FAVOR?We do not receive any funding or sponsorship for this podcast. If you learned something and feel others could also benefit, please leave a positive review. Every review helps amplify our work and visibility. This is especially helpful for small women-owned boot-strapped businesses. Simply go to the bottom of the Apple Podcast page to enter a review. Thank you!***LINKS:www.marklvincent.comwww.maestrolevelleaders.com www.gotowerscope.comhttps://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-hard-skills-dr-mira-brancu-m0QzwsFiBGE/:#processconsulting #systemsconvening #TheHardSkillsTune in for this empowering conversation at TalkRadio.nyc

Imagine doing everything “right” — and still feeling like it’s not enough. This episode of The Hard Skills isn’t just about burnout or ambition — we’re exposing the invisible blocks that sabotage even the most successful women — and the real shifts that unlock creative power, self-trust, and meaningful momentum. If you’ve ever felt overqualified but undervalued, this one will hit home. You’ve got the title, the accolades, the resume. So why does it still feel like something’s missing? This isn’t imposter syndrome. It’s the result of trying to lead from a leadership and achievement model that was never built with you in mind. In this episode of The Hard Skills, we go beneath the surface of traditional success with former military officer and federal executive turned woman-centered leadership coach, Tina Parker — someone who led 70 all-male drill sergeants through the biggest training overhaul in Air Force history while navigating cancer, loss, motherhood, and reinvention. If you’ve ever been told to “just go for it” and wondered why that doesn’t work for you, Tina’s story — and her insights — will connect the dots.You’ll learn:- Why traditional success strategies leave women stuck or burned out- The deeper reasons women undervalue their lived experience — and how to change it- A practical path to move from reactive, hustle-based leadership to creative, aligned action***ABOUT OUR GUEST:Tina Parker is a Visionary Leadership Coach and TEDx Speaker bringing a heart-centered, science-backed approach to leadership and personal transformation. With nearly 25 years of experience as a military officer, C-level executive, and business owner, Tina understands the high stakes of leadership—and the toll it can take on our wellbeing.  Her own transformative journey followed profound life challenges—including the loss of a child, a cancer diagnosis, and a divorce—prompting her to find a new way to lead holistically. More than two decades as a trusted advisor to hundreds of leaders and years of study earning certifications in Brain Health, Transformational Mindset, Conscious Leadership Facilitation, and Woman-Centered Coaching, led her to develop her coaching company Lead Outside the Lines: guiding visionary women to step into their Authentic Power, so they can live, lead, and love with clarity, courage, and confidence.***IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE, CAN I ASK A FAVOR?We do not receive any funding or sponsorship for this podcast. If you learned something and feel others could also benefit, please leave a positive review. Every review helps amplify our work and visibility. This is especially helpful for small women-owned boot-strapped businesses. Simply go to the bottom of the Apple Podcast page to enter a review. Thank you!***LINKS:www.gotowerscope.comhttps://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-hard-skills-dr-mira-brancu-m0QzwsFiBGE/https://leadoutsidethelines.com/https://leadoutsidethelines.com/vwahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tpsunshine/FREE EBOOK: The 10 Key Shifts Visionary Women Must Make To Step Into Their Authentic Power—Without Apology: https://leadoutsidethelines.com/10keysebook#LeadOutsidetheLines #VisionaryWomen #UnlearnSuccess #HighAchievingWomen #RewriteTheRulesTune in for this empowering conversation at TalkRadio.nyc

Ever felt like you’re working nonstop but still falling short? This episode cracks open the myth of busyness and builds a bold new definition of real productivity — one that actually holds up in today’s complex, chaotic work world. Because endurance in leadership isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what matters, for the long haul.Imagine this: You’re checking every box, attending every meeting, and still wondering: Is any of this actually moving the needle? Or you are a manager or leader wondering, "Is this the best I can get out of my people? Are the performing at their highest levels? Are we efficient enough?" In this episode, we pull apart the illusion of productivity that keeps high-performing teams spinning and introduce a sharper, saner standard rooted in long-term impact. You’ll hear insights gained from a study of 30 senior leaders across industries who’ve worked with the most productive people and teams of their careers — and what they’ve learned about real, sustainable output. We explore why the old metrics are failing, what effective leaders do differently, and how to reset the conversation about work that actually matters. If you're ready to stop sprinting on autopilot and start leading with intention, hit play.Emma Browning is a management consultant and founder of Paradox Consulting Partners, a woman--owned consulting company and Certified B Corporation that aligns talent strategy with business strategy to create high-performing, great places for all to work. She has her MBA from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and has advised hundreds of clients including Fortune 100 and 500 companies over her 20-year consulting career. She is an expert in helping organizations operate both productively and equitably through structure, process, and systems design.www.linkedin.com/in/emmabrowninghttps://paradoxcp.com#RedefiningProductivity #SustainableLeadershipHabits #BusyVsProductive #WorkThatActuallyMatters #TheHardSkillsTune in for this empowering conversation at TalkRadio.nyc