Grow Strong Leaders Podcast

Is there something you’d love to have but think it’s impossible for you to achieve? Listen to this inspiring conversation with Kimberly Wiefling, and you’ll likely see ways that you can, in fact, create what you want. Along the way, you’ll discover how the best leaders build trust with their teams through vulnerability. Kimberly is the founder of Wiefling Consulting, and cofounder of Silicon Valley Alliances. She’s also the author of the globally popular book Scrappy Project Management: The 12 Predictable & Avoidable Pitfalls Every Project Faces. Her latest book, Turning Ideas Into Impact, is an anthology with 15 other Silicon Valley consultants.  Kimberly’s superpower is turning managers into leaders and groups into true teams who can achieve together what seems “impossible” but is merely difficult. She’s been described as a “force of nature,” and she’s determined to use that force to make a significant positive impact on our world. You’ll discover: The key differences between managers and leadersWhat Kimberly did wrong when she managed teams early in her careerDifferences in the cultures of a typical Silicon Valley company compared to one in JapanHow Kimberly helps leaders and teams believe the impossible is actually possibleThe importance of structuring the work environment to reinforce the cultureCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

A big complaint in most companies is the amount of time wasted in meetings. If that’s been your experience, too, this episode is a must-listen. Amy Casciotti, Vice President of Human Resources at TechSmith Corporation, explains how they’ve created an innovative approach that’s eliminated the need for people to meet at the same time. You’ll learn how their Async-First environment has saved time and increased productivity.TechSmith is a software company with a mission to empower people to create remarkable videos and images that help share knowledge and information. Amy is focused on being an advocate for both the company and its employees to ensure TechSmith and its staff have the skills needed to continue to move the company and employee engagement forward.  Meredith and her team have used their products, Camtasia and SnagIt, for more than 15 years and are huge fans! You’ll discover: TechSmith’s top 4 values and how they are practiced by everyone, starting with the CEOThe difference between synchronous and asynchronous meetingsWhat Amy and her team did to move people to a “No Meetings” mindsetHow people now use videos to convey information that use to be presented in meetingsHow the company practices “Put People First” with employees and customers alikeCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

When high achievers get promoted, they actually need to learn to be leaders in four different areas: Up, Across, Team and Self. Mark J. Silverman describes how he works with Rising Leaders to raise their awareness—and effectiveness—in each of these situations. You’ll get practical tips on what to say and do to achieve the results you and the other person want. When he was working for fast-growing tech startups, Mark generated more than $90,000,000 in sales. He achieved this by bringing together teams of executives and technical leaders to close complex multimillion-dollar sales. Mark has experienced, first hand, the pressure of the 'hustle and grind' culture along with the unique challenges of the "C-Suite." This experience, together with his years of training as a coach and facilitator, helps his coaching clients create sustainable and lasting success in all areas of their lives. You’ll discover: The 4 areas of responsibility that Mark coaches leaders aroundWhy Mark starts with Leading Up instead of Leading Self when coaching his clientsHow to respond to a visionary boss without using the word “No”The power of creating an Empathy Map to better understand your boss, a colleague or a member of your teamHow to adopt a “coopetition” attitude when working with peersCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

A positive culture where people feel valued and empowered doesn’t happen by accident. Tim Lupinacci, CEO and Chair at Baker Donelson, has been intentional about creating one by developing a five-year vision, then getting buy-in and commitment from everyone in the law firm.Tim Lupinacci leads more than 1,300 individuals in 22 law offices across the Southeastern US. Tim is presently leading the firm’s five-year BakerVision 2028 strategy and its Diversity & Inclusion Compact. A life-long leadership student, Tim recently launched a nonprofit called Everybody Leads, focused on empowering individuals in underserved communities with basic leadership skills and confidence to better lead themselves, lead others, and lead in the community.You’ll discover: How Tim built buy-in and support for his vision and strategyEfforts Tim has made to open pathways and leadership opportunities for women and marginalized groupsHow The Women’s Equity Program has enabled more women to become equity shareholders in the firmWhat’s behind Tim’s creation of his nonprofit and the impact he wants it to have Check out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

How do you hire, onboard and get the best results in a virtual workplace? Dr. Ronald Beach knows it takes a combination of communication skills, setting clear expectations, and taking time to create a strong relationship with each person on the team. He shares many useful tips from his two books, The Virtual Divide and The Virtual Bridge. Ron is an Organizational Sociologist with a Ph. D. in Organization and Management.  He’s now at the University of Arizona Global Campus, where he serves as the Lead Faculty for the Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration within the Forbes School of Business and Technology®.  Before that Ron had more than 25 years’ experience as a manager in high tech manufacturing at companies like Western Digital and Hitachi. He’s also an award-winning author of 7 books. You’ll discover: How Ron applied lessons from his years in the Marines to his work in a high-tech manufacturing environmentWhy it’s worth a leader’s time to schedule weekly calls with each person on their teamWhat to include in your onboarding to ensure a good match and high productivity long-termRon’s approach to managing his remote team of 84 full-time and adjunct faculty members at the University of ArizonaCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Do you ever struggle to find joy in your life? My guest Cordelia Gaffar is a master of guiding clients to discover the joy within, and that’s why she has the title, Ultimate Joy Goddess. Through her own life experiences (which include many years in the corporate world followed by being a mother of 6 children and homeschooling for 18 years), Cordelia now serves as an executive transformation coach. She helps clients learn to nurture themselves by using a process she calls Four Mind Alignment.Cordelia has won multiple awards for her 8 books and 2 podcasts, along with other awards like the Brainz Global 500 Award of Influencers and Entrepreneurs for 2021.You’ll discover: How Cordelia defines joyWhat gets in the way of self-careThe five practices of self-nurturing that lead to joyHow to respond when negative feelings arise within youWhy Cordelia advises, “Pause for the cause of you”Check out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

DescriptionWant some inspiration and practical tips for surmounting obstacles in your life? You’ll get both from Jill Tietjen, who shares stories about the adversity faced by several of the 50 women featured in her latest book, Over, Under, Around, and Through: How Hall of Famers Surmount Obstacles. Jill is an author, international speaker, and an electrical engineer. After more than 45 years in the electric utility industry, her professional focus is now on women’s advocacy, worldwide. She speaks internationally on the accomplishments of women, nominates women for awards, and continues to write books, with 12 published to date. Her first 2 books about women were bestsellers and award-winners: Her Story: A Timeline of the Women Who Changed America and Hollywood: Her Story, An Illustrated History of Women and the Movies.  Jill has been inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame, the Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame, and the National Academy of Construction.   You’ll discover: How Jill got the idea to write this bookThe wide range of obstacles faced by the 50 women featured in the bookThe 10 common characteristics they sharedKey take-aways readers have reportedTips for surmounting the obstacles in your lifeCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Have you ever wondered what would happen if an org chart were flipped, so it was an upside-down triangle? Meet Nick Gallo. He and his brother Giovanni are Co-CEOs at Ethico, and they’ve accomplished this by putting their clients at the top of the pyramid. Nick Gallo is Chief Servant and Co-CEO of Ethico, a company that provides human resource, compliance and ethics solutions that serve 8 million employees in over 100 countries. He has the distinction of being the only millennial CEO of a compliance company. Nick is a first-generation American son of a Cuban refugee and member of Mensa International. He’s a student of behavioral economics and organizational psychology, and he’s a thought leader in the compliance and culture space. Nick has dedicated his life to serving — his community, clients, and team — in order to make the world a better workplace.You’ll discover: Why Nick’s other title is Chief Servant…and what it communicates to everyone else in the companyHow Nick got buy-in from employees for flipping the org chartWhat Day 0 looks like for new employeesStrategies used at Ethico to attract and hire the right peopleThe initiatives in place to give employees opportunities to learn and growCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Have you ever had a boss who challenged you because they saw your long-term potential? Geoffrey Roche was lucky enough to work for a CEO who led him that way, and her influence is reflected in the way he leads his own teams today. You’ll take away ideas that can help you be that kind of leader to others.Geoffrey is the son of a nurse, as well as a future of work and education expert. The combination of healthcare and higher ed represents a common thread throughout his professional career, which includes over nine years in hospital administration and in senior leadership roles at two universities. Geoffrey currently serves as the Senior Vice President of National Health Care Practice & Workforce Partnerships at Core Education, a Public Benefit Corporation. He is a strong advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and a champion for transforming health equity. He’s also the host of the EdUp HealthUp podcast.You’ll discover: How Geoffrey continues to model behaviors he learned from an extraordinary CEO he worked forWhat led him to be a Heart Leader and adopt Love as a way of being with othersWhy Geoffrey’s superpower is connectionThe importance of addressing career mobility with employeesWhat’s different in the way Geoffrey leads and coaches his remote team Check out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro

Do you know someone who struggles at work or at home because of neurodiversity or executive functioning challenges? If so, you’re going to find this interview with Michelle Raz extremely valuable! You’ll learn what you can do to support them, whether they’re an employee on your team or a family member.Michelle is a certified career coach and the owner of Raz Coaching where she works with neurodiverse professionals. She helps them shift from feeling like a misunderstood outsider to feeling like they belong by taking them through a process that identifies their strengths and gives them strategies for success. And in case you have a high school or college student in your home, Michelle is also co-founder of Thrivister – an academic coaching company specializing in helping neurodiverse students. She’s the author of Happiness+Passion+Purpose, which she wrote to guide people to identify their strengths and discover the career they love.You’ll discover: The meaning of the terms “neurodivergent” and “executive functioning challenge”Cues leaders can pay attention to, for employees who might otherwise go under the radarHow leaders can tap into the unique gifts these individuals have to offerThree tips for helping a neurodivergent person experience greater successCheck out all the episodesLeave a review on Apple PodcastsConnect with Meredith on LinkedInFollow Meredith on TwitterDownload the free ebook Listen Like a Pro