Find My Catalyst Podcast

In this solo episode of Find Your Catalyst, host Mike Simmons explores the concept of leadership, focusing on how true leadership begins with self. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, self-confidence, and self-worth in building strong leadership skills. Mike shares practical insights on how to develop essential leadership qualities like problem-solving, decision-making, communication, and execution. This episode is brought to you by the Leader Lab - learn more at https://www.findmycatalyst.com/leaderlab Three Key Quotes: "Leadership is how we move forward—how we advance from where we are today to where we want to go." "If you're looking for leadership, start with a mirror. Leadership starts with self." "Self-confidence, self-awareness, and self-worth—these are the foundations of leadership." Mike shares practical tips for improving leadership by honing skills like problem-solving, decision-making, communication, and execution. Mike emphasizes that understanding personal values and leading oneself is crucial before successfully leading others. 5 Key Takeaways: 1. Leadership Begins with Self: Leadership starts by looking in the mirror and recognizing your potential. Self-awareness is key to personal growth and leadership. Building self-confidence and self-worth lays the foundation for effective leadership. 2. Developing Core Leadership Skills: Focus on problem-solving to tackle challenges head-on. Improve decision-making to drive positive outcomes. Strong communication skills are essential for leading yourself and others. 3. Understanding Personal Values: Reflect on what you value most in life—time, relationships, or energy. Align your values with your actions for authentic leadership. Recognize that values change as you grow and evolve. 4. The Power of Thinking: Critical thinking helps solve problems and make better decisions. Creative thinking opens the door to innovation and new ideas. Life, like business, is a thinking process—embrace it. 5. Continuous Self-Improvement: Work on yourself first before leading others. Build leadership skills through experience and practice. Effective leaders are always learning and growing.

"Leadership is how we move forward. It's about making progress and maintaining momentum." "If you give people the tools to lead themselves, you unlock their ability to act and drive results for your business." "Leaders fall short when they focus on preference over principle. It's about principles that guide decision-making." Mike Simmons and Tim Dyck discuss leadership's core components, emphasizing forward momentum and decision-making autonomy. They share personal experiences, analyze leadership failures, and advocate for implementing guiding principles. By empowering people to lead themselves, they argue, organizations can foster better leadership from the ground up. Find your Catalyst at https://www.findmycatalyst.com/ 5 Key Takeaways on Leadership: Leadership is Movement Forward Leadership isn't about position; it's about progress. Forward momentum depends on clear direction and decision-making. Leaders help guide teams by offering clarity and purpose. The Power of Guiding Principles Clear principles create a framework for better decision-making. Without them, teams face confusion and inefficiency. Leaders must ensure everyone understands the rules guiding decisions. Empowerment Creates Stronger Leaders Empowering people to make decisions increases their confidence. Autonomy helps people feel valued and trusted. Teams become more proactive when they are given clear guidelines. Fractional Leadership for Long-Term Success Fractional leadership brings expertise without long-term commitments. It can accelerate growth by addressing immediate leadership gaps. Experts can help develop internal capabilities for sustained success. Effective Communication is Key Miscommunication leads to wrong decisions and lost opportunities. Leaders must ensure alignment in language and expectations. Clear, consistent communication strengthens organizational culture. This episode focuses on how leadership impacts both organizational performance and personal growth, encouraging listeners to reflect on how they lead themselves and others.

In this episode, Mike Simmons breaks down key leadership skills, emphasizing how leaders can move teams forward through guidance, direction, and motivation. He stresses the importance of communication, decision-making, and problem-solving. Leadership starts with leading oneself, and when done effectively, it translates into leading others and organizations successfully. Mike shares insights on the fundamentals of leadership, pulling from personal experiences and lessons from leaders like Chuck Schluter. He explains how understanding objectives, knowing your current state, and designing a path forward are core to effective leadership. Key Quotes: "Leadership is how we move forward—ourselves, our teams, and our organizations." "Leaders provide guidance, direction, and motivation." "Start with a mirror. If you want to find a leader, begin with yourself." 5 Key Takeaways: Leadership is about Movement Leaders drive progress by setting a clear direction. Achieving results comes from planning with both short-term and long-term goals. To move forward, leaders must know where they stand and where they want to go. Core Skills of Leadership Communication: Clear, effective exchanges drive team success. Problem Solving: Identify problems, evaluate solutions, and make decisions. Decision-Making: Prioritize tasks and take action to advance toward goals. Leadership Starts with Self Begin by developing self-leadership skills. Focus on self-awareness and personal improvement. Once you lead yourself, you earn the right to lead others. Building Leaders Creates More Leaders Leadership isn’t just about personal success; it's about developing others. Strong leaders elevate their teams, organizations, and communities. Effective leaders build a legacy by creating more capable leaders around them. Design and Execution are Essential Know your objectives and create a plan to reach them. Consider both the strategies and the tactics that lead to success. Design for long-term success by aligning actions with broader organizational goals.

Tracey Cesen is the founder of Forever Human AI, a professional services company focused on ServiceNow solutions. With a background in both business and technology, Tracey’s ability to connect the two has defined her career. In this episode, she discusses her journey as an entrepreneur and the lessons she's learned balancing business and family. Three Key Quotes from Tracey: "You're not just raising kids; you're raising adults. That mindset shift is important in both parenting and business." "Busy is a word we throw around too much. The real question is—are we focusing on what matters?" "Starting my own company gave me the chance to create something I believed the world needed, even if it was scary." In this episode, Tracey Cesen, founder of Forever Human AI, shares her journey as a first-time business owner. She talks about balancing family, overcoming challenges, and bridging the gap between business and technology. Tracey also highlights the importance of purposeful actions over being "busy" and leading with empathy. 5 Key Takeaways: Entrepreneurship Takes Courage Starting a business is exciting but also filled with moments of self-doubt. Entrepreneurship is a dream Tracey held since childhood, despite becoming a teen mom. It’s never too late to chase your dream and build something meaningful. Bridging Business and Technology Tracey excels at connecting business goals with technical solutions, creating more value for clients. There's a high demand for professionals who understand both sides of the tech-business spectrum. Building empathy between teams can lead to smoother communication and better outcomes. Parenting and Business Are Similar In both roles, you're focused on the end result—whether it's raising capable adults or running a successful business. Clear communication is crucial in both family and work environments. Decision-making and time management are critical in balancing personal and professional life. Purpose Over Busyness Tracey challenges the common use of the word "busy," urging people to focus on meaningful tasks. Setting clear priorities helps avoid the feeling of being overwhelmed. Regularly checking in on your goals allows you to reassess and adjust where necessary. Adapting to Changing Work Models Fractional roles allow professionals to bring their expertise to multiple clients without long-term commitments. This model can offer companies flexibility and experienced professionals without the overhead of full-time staff. The gig economy offers new ways to work and deliver value.

Paul Michelman, Editor in Chief with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), has a deep background in content curation and digital transformation. He shares insights into the development of GENE, a conversational AI agent co-hosting podcasts, and how generative AI is reshaping content creation, management, and executive engagement at BCG. Key Quotes "Necessity is the mother of the best kind of invention." "GENE...wasn't a traditional technology product. It was built to be fit for purpose." "The future of management is managing the bots that are managing the business." – Tim O'Reilly, quoted by Paul. Paul Michelman discusses the creation of GENE, a conversational AI co-host at BCG, and its role in helping executives envision the future of business. He delves into how AI is transforming content development, emphasizing the importance of blending technology with human creativity for better outcomes and fostering innovation. Find Your Catalyst at https://www.findmycatalyst.com/ 5 Key Takeaways The Catalyst of Necessity Innovation is often driven by a clear need or problem. GENE was born out of a desire to make podcasts futuristic and engaging. Necessity sparks creativity when talented teams collaborate on a shared goal. AI as a Creative Partner GENE is more than a tech tool; it functions as a co-host trained on human co-host behaviors. AI can be trained not only to respond but to foster deeper conversations. Collaborative creation between AI engineers and creative teams leads to more effective tools. Stakeholder Buy-in and Change Management Securing leadership support early on is crucial for driving AI innovation within an organization. Introducing GENE was a stepping stone to securing broader executive buy-in for content transformation at BCG. Effective change management involves aligning technology initiatives with business objectives and scaling with organizational support. Iterative Learning and Innovation Developing AI tools like GENE involves constant iteration and feedback. GENE's ability to surprise its creators reflects the learning process of AI. Encouraging openness to failure and iteration is essential for innovation. Shaping the Future of Work with AI AI will increasingly assist with content creation, freeing up human resources for strategic tasks. Companies like BCG are exploring AI-driven platforms like "Scribe" to streamline written content creation. The future of management lies in integrating AI into decision-making processes. Podcasts mentioned in the episode: Imagine This... Podcast This BCG podcast, co-hosted by GENE, explores the future of business and leadership, delving into disruptions like AI and how they will shape the next decade. CEO Digest - This podcast focuses on helping CEOs navigate emerging trends and innovations, often featuring GENE as a conversational partner.

In this episode, host Mike Simmons shares insights on 2025 business planning. He discusses the importance of early planning, aligning strategies with objectives, and using tactics to achieve goals. He also introduces the 30-Day Blueprint to Success and the rebranding of The Phoenix Club to The Leader Lab, designed for leaders seeking to think and do differently. Three Key Quotes: "If you're doing the work but not making progress, something's wrong." "Speed to impact is more important than going fast." "Leadership is about moving things forward." Mike Simmons emphasizes the importance of 2025 planning, encouraging listeners to start early, define clear objectives, and align strategies with tactical actions. He also introduces the Leader Lab, a community designed to support leaders in making strategic progress. The episode provides a framework for goal-setting and execution. The Phoenix Club is now The Leader Lab - go to https://www.findmycatalyst.com/ to learn more 5 Key Takeaways: Early Planning is Crucial Begin 2025 planning now, rather than delaying until late in the year. Clarify where you are (current state) and where you want to go (desired state). Use a planning framework to bridge the gap and achieve your goals. Set Clear Objectives Objectives guide your strategy; without them, you may feel stuck. Break down large goals into smaller, achievable tasks. Align your team or individual efforts with these goals to maintain focus. Align Strategy with Tactics Strategy outlines how to achieve objectives; tactics define specific actions. Focus on 2-3 strategies to avoid confusion and misalignment. Adjust tactics as needed, but maintain a consistent strategy to drive progress. Utilize Accountability Tools Implement short-term (30, 60, 90-day) plans to track incremental progress. Regularly review your progress to ensure alignment with goals. Use feedback loops to assess what’s working and where adjustments are needed. Join a Supportive Community The Leader Lab provides a space to learn from like-minded leaders. Collaborate with others to uncover blind spots and share strategies. Leadership is about helping others succeed while achieving personal and business growth.

Tim Dyck is the founder of Best Culture Solutions, a company focused on aligning people with the right roles in organizations. Tim specializes in recruitment, career transitions, and people strategies, helping businesses optimize their workforce for success. 3 Key Quotes: “Every problem in every business is a people problem.” “People are choosing more control over how, when, and where they work.” “Fractional work can drive greater value for both sides when done well.” In this episode, Mike Simmons and Tim Dyck discuss how work is evolving, focusing on recruitment, people strategies, and fractional work. They highlight the importance of aligning talent with company needs and the benefits of hiring fractional professionals to solve specific business problems efficiently. Find Your Catalyst at https://findmycatalyst.com 5 Key Takeaways: People Strategies are Critical to Success: Every business issue ties back to people. Aligning people with the right roles improves productivity. Effective people strategies include hiring, training, and clarity in roles. Fractional Work Offers Flexibility: Businesses can bring in experts part-time for specific needs. Fractional professionals may provide faster impact. Smaller companies benefit from high-level skills without full-time salaries. Workplace Evolution Post-Pandemic: Remote work isn't new but has become more mainstream. The shift allows workers to have more control over their work-life balance. Employers must adapt to these changes or risk losing top talent. Scope Creep in Fractional Roles: Both businesses and freelancers must define roles clearly to avoid scope creep. Success in fractional roles depends on sticking to agreed-upon responsibilities. Misaligned expectations can derail both parties. Finding the Right Fit in Recruitment: It’s essential for businesses to identify the specific roles they need. Hiring the right person can solve problems faster. Companies should avoid forcing unqualified individuals into roles just to fill vacancies. This episode offers insights for both business leaders and professionals seeking more flexibility in their work, providing practical strategies for the modern workplace.

In this solo episode, Mike Simmons discusses leadership from the perspective of self-leadership. He emphasizes the importance of looking inward before seeking leadership from others. Mike provides practical insights into building leadership skills through self-reflection, goal-setting, and problem-solving. He also touches on how mindset plays a crucial role in the journey to effective leadership. Key Quotes “If you're looking for leadership, start with a mirror.” “Leadership is how we move forward, and to do that, we must first know where we are and where we want to go.” “Before we can lead others, we must first demonstrate that we can lead ourselves well.” In this episode, Mike explores the essence of leadership by starting with self-leadership. He shares practical tools for decision-making, goal-setting, and problem-solving, all while reinforcing the importance of mindset. Simmons encourages listeners to take personal responsibility and develop the skills necessary to move themselves and others forward. Find Your Catalyst - and Learn. Think. Act. - at https://findmycatalyst.com 5 Key Takeaways Leadership Starts with Self Leadership begins by looking inward. Know where you are and where you want to go. Develop the ability to lead yourself before leading others. Clarity and Goal-Setting Define clear objectives and goals for yourself. Reflect on where you are versus where you want to be. Use goal-setting frameworks to guide your decisions. Problem-Solving Define the problem clearly before seeking solutions. Consider different perspectives to avoid blind spots. Use frameworks like the Catalyst A.C.T.S. hexagon to solve problems effectively. Mindset and Continuous Learning Adopt a growth mindset; be open to learning and feedback. Avoid complacency by continuously applying new skills. Learn, think, act, and reflect regularly to maintain progress. Leadership as Service Leadership is about serving others, not about titles. Lead by example, doing your own work well. Build trust through clear communication and alignment of goals.

Jen Bergren is an expert in process documentation and operations, with a strong focus on helping organizations become more efficient. She’s passionate about simplifying processes, improving onboarding experiences, and ensuring that organizations can operate smoothly and creatively through thoughtful documentation. Jen is a key voice in operational strategy and process improvement, especially in remote and asynchronous work environments. 3 Key Quotes: "If you follow a process, you can be even more creative and more innovative." "Start small... don’t try to document your entire sales process the first time." "The fear is that documenting will take time, but not doing it wastes more time in the long run." Jen dives into the importance of process documentation and its impact on business efficiency. She discusses overcoming the resistance to documenting procedures, how to prevent overcomplicating processes, and the benefits of strong onboarding. Her insights focus on creating clarity and efficiency, which helps teams operate more effectively. The Find My Catalyst Podcast is brought to your by Catalyst A.C.T.S. Find your Catalyst at https://www.findmycatalyst.com/ 5 Key Takeaways: 1. Start Small with Documentation Begin by documenting smaller, routine tasks to build the habit. Focus on processes that occur frequently to improve quickly. Avoid overwhelming yourself by trying to document everything at once. 2. Process Documentation Improves Creativity Having clear, repeatable steps frees up mental space for creative problem-solving. Following a structured process reduces time spent on routine tasks. It creates room for innovation without the burden of repetitive decisions. 3. Efficient Onboarding Creates a Self-Service Culture Clear documentation empowers new employees to find answers independently. A structured onboarding process reduces the need for repetitive questions. It helps remote and asynchronous teams operate smoothly without constant hand-holding. 4. Avoid Overcomplicating Processes Get early feedback from peers to ensure processes are clear and simple. Document only what's necessary—efficiency comes from eliminating unnecessary steps. Continuously improve processes without adding unnecessary complexity. 5. Operations People Are Key to Success Operations often work behind the scenes but are vital to keeping everything running. Recognizing their work can prevent burnout and improve company-wide efficiency. Encourage transparency and collaboration by elevating operations roles in the organization. Find Jen on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenbergren/

In this episode, host Mike Simmons dives into event strategies and tactics. He shares insights on different types of events, how to plan for them, and how to make the most out of attending or speaking at events. Whether you’re attending a massive trade show or a small niche event, this episode offers actionable advice for maximizing your impact. Key Quotes from Mike Simmons: "Participating in events is an investment—time, energy, and money—so make sure it’s the right fit for you." "One of the best ways to meet people is to attend sessions, observe, and engage with them afterward." "Going to an event as an attendee is just as valuable as being a sponsor, especially for smaller businesses." Mike Simmons shares strategies to maximize the value of attending or hosting events. He covers the types of events, such as large trade shows, vendor-specific, and smaller niche events, and offers tips on pre-event preparation, making connections, and post-event follow-up. This episode is packed with practical, actionable advice. This episode is brought to you by Catalyst A.C.T.S. - check out our weekly newsletter - Learn. Think. Act. - https://www.findmycatalyst.com/learn-think-act 5 Key Takeaways: Types of Events: Choose Wisely Large trade shows have expo halls and keynote sessions that offer networking opportunities. Vendor-specific events help you learn from others using the same tools and systems. Small, niche events provide targeted networking and more meaningful interactions. Pre-Event Planning: Prepare for Success Visit the event website to understand the theme, agenda, and who will be speaking. Identify key people you want to meet—speakers, vendors, or peers. Create a "must-meet" list to stay focused and make meaningful connections. Networking: Engage with Purpose Focus on attending sessions where your target audience is likely to be. Introduce yourself to others after breakout sessions or during lunch. Be strategic—don’t pitch, but ask questions to learn more about the person and their challenges. Post-Event Follow-Up: Build Relationships Send personalized messages following the event to maintain the connection. Reference the sessions they attended or the conversations you had. Schedule follow-up calls or meetings to further discuss mutual interests. Attendee vs. Sponsor: Know Your Role Attending events for research or networking can be as valuable as sponsoring. Bring a team of 2-3 people to an event to cover more ground and gather diverse insights. Don’t over-invest in booths unless you know the event attracts your target audience.