The Leadership Podcast

Nate Boyer, a Former Army Green Beret and football player, discusses his attraction to challenges, pushing oneself to the limit, and the importance of growth through setbacks. In this episode, he shares a personal story about auditioning for a TV show and recognizing different perspectives. Nate talks about his nonprofit work with Merging Vets and Players (MVP), helping veterans and athletes find their identity post-career. The concept of deliberate discomfort and the desire for relevance are explored. He also mentions Water Boys, an organization providing clean water wells in Tanzania. The impact of clean water availability, benefits to communities, and the significance of leadership qualities.     Key Takeaways [03:52] Nate Boyer emphasizes the tough nature of various fields, such as being an elite athlete, a Green Beret, or an actor and the desire to compete at the highest level and the experience of competition from a young age create a strong attraction. Nate finds the process of putting in hard work, practice, and dedication towards a goal, regardless of winning or losing, immensely fulfilling.   [07:38]Nate reflects on the open but unyielding door, symbolizing the constant possibility of success despite the lack of opportunities. He believes that part of his drive comes from a place of insecurity, wanting to prove himself and overcome feelings of not being good enough. [12:09] He said that setbacks create space for pursuing something that may have been put on hold or exploring new dreams and aspirations and it’s essential to open up and listen to the universe, allowing new possibilities to emerge. Embracing this perspective can lead to finding new paths and opportunities for personal fulfillment. [15:10] Nate stated that letting go of attachment to the outcome and understanding that it's not about you personally can help navigate the ups and downs of such subjective industries and stay resilient and focus on honing your skills and pursuing opportunities where your unique abilities and vision align with the right fit. [20:06] Nate talks about MVP, where he co-founded along with Jay Glazer, the nonprofit organization Merging Vets and Players (MVP) in 2015. He said that MVP aims to support both military veterans and professional athletes who often face challenges when transitioning out of their respective fields. [26:45] He talks about how the transition to a new phase is becoming necessary, but it can be challenging to let go of the familiar and find new avenues to feel alive and fulfilled. As people grow older, they may encounter these feelings in various aspects of their lives, such as transitioning away from a beloved activity like football. [34:53] Nate shares that the most impactful and rewarding work he's been involved in is the Water Boys initiative started by Chris Long. This work has brought clean and accessible water to numerous communities, improving their quality of life and health. He also shares that being a part of this initiative and witnessing the positive change it brings has been incredibly rewarding for him. [36:44] Closing quote: Remember, ”A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” – Jackie Robinson   Quotable Quotes “It's nice to sort of push yourself to the limit physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and see how far you can go.”   “Sometimes we do things, we make mistakes, and we suffer the consequences.”   “You can restart a whole new sector of your life.”   “It's time to open your aperture back up and listen to the universe a little bit.”   “Veteran community is often really struggling. A lot of times they're struggling not just with the loss of identity and uniform, but the loss of people or feeling like they didn't do enough and they should have done more and they could have saved more.”   “Jump off that curve where you're declining and get on a curve where you're improving.”   “When it's time to make a decision, as a leader, you have to make a decision.”    ”A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” – Jackie Robinson   Resources Mentioned: The Leadership Podcast | Sponsored by | Rafti Advisors. LLC | Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | Nate Boyer’s LinkedIn | Nate Boyer’s Website | Nate Boyer’s Instagram | Nate Boyer’s Twitter |

Kim "KC" Campbell, a former fighter pilot and author of "Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage." In this episode, Kim discusses a mission during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the importance of teamwork and staying calm despite chaos. Campbell emphasizes the value of listening to others' stories, making tough decisions as a leader, empowering team members, and supporting veterans. She also highlights the significance of adaptability and facing fears with courage.   Key Takeaways [03:43] Kim discusses her experience as an Air Force Academy graduate and her mission during Operation Iraqi Freedom where she received the Distinguished Fine Cross for heroism. Kim emphasizes the importance of teamwork, mutual support, and staying calm during crises as a leader. [15:47] Kim, a former pilot and leader in the military, emphasizes the importance of listening to stories and learning from others' experiences. She credits listening to fellow pilots' war stories for her success during a crucial moment when she had to fly using a backup emergency system. [21:44] She also talks about the challenges of having difficult conversations as a leader. Adaptability is a key competency that can be learned, and Kim encourages leaders to be flexible and responsive to changing circumstances. Lastly, Kim discusses her passion for supporting veterans during their transition into civilian life and believes in offering them support and opportunities because of their tremendous value in solving complex problems and leading teams. [27:56] Kim also discusses the importance of trust and resilience in teams, and how stories can help build these qualities. [31:50] She reflects on her experience establishing a center for Character and Leadership Development, which aimed to teach character and leadership skills through real-life examples and stories. [37:45] Kim shares her experience writing letters every week to get accepted into the military academy, highlighting the importance of persistence and creativity in achieving goals [39:57] She encourages leaders to take action in the face of fear and to stay flexible and adaptable in challenging situations. [41:26] Closing quote: Remember, “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. ” —  Henry Ford   Quotable Quotes "Sometimes failures do turn into positive things as well."   "It doesn't happen alone...It is a true team effort."   "Create a wingman culture...understand the role that you play on a team."   "There's so much benefit in listening and learning from stories."   "Recognize your shortfalls and get better at asking for help."   "Teach people to think outside the box and be flexible."   "Sometimes the standard rules and procedures don't apply, and we need to be flexible."   "We all face fear in our lives. It may not be flying a fighter jet in combat, but it's fear of failure. It's fear of not meeting expectations. It's fear of not being good enough. And we cannot let that fear drive us. We have to still be able to step up and take action and have courage to face those fears."   "When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." - Henry Ford   These are the books mentioned in our discussion with Kim   Resources Mentioned The Leadership Podcast | Sponsored by | Rafti Advisors. LLC | Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | Kim Campbell’s LinkedIn | Kim Campbell’s Website | Kim Campbell’s Twitter |

Alan Shortt is an executive communication coach, motivational speaker, Emcee, host and founder of Media Skills Ireland. Alan shares his expertise on avoiding boredom in leadership, creating emotional excitement, and the art of engaging communication. He emphasizes the importance of curiosity, facial expressions, and connecting with the audience. We also explore leadership performance, storytelling, and Alan's background as a comedian. Tune in for valuable insights and entertaining impressions of notable politicians!     Key Takeaways [05:33] Alan discusses the intriguing topic of avoiding being boring in leadership roles and the significance of creating emotional excitement within others.  [06:25] Alan brings a unique perspective to the table, drawing from his experiences as a stand-up comedian, boxer, and a seasoned speaker. [11:11] Alan shares his insights on the importance of curiosity and engagement in communication, particularly in the realm of media skills. He explains that everyone is now a TV presenter and emphasizes the need to connect with the audience through engagement on screen, using facial muscles, smiling, and looking at the camera. [18:27] Moving on to leadership performance, Alan highlights the vital role of vision and innovation in effectively communicating a leader's message.  [23:05] He provides valuable advice on preparing for public speaking engagements, stressing the significance of practicing out loud, actively listening to one's own voice, and constructing a repertoire of personal stories that can be used to navigate unexpected situations. [27:35] The discussion also touches upon the use of lies versus facts as motivational tools and the importance of authenticity in storytelling. Alan offers glimpses into his past as a comedian, highlighting how his experiences in comedy inform his work as a communication coach. [30:31] As the conversation unfolds, Alan delves into the art of storytelling, exploring the cultural nuances between Irish and American traditions. He shares an engaging personal anecdote about motivating someone during a challenging cycling expedition in France.  [36:12] And just to spice things up, he treats us to some impressive impressions of renowned politicians, including Barack Obama and Michael G. Higgins. [44:17] Closing quote: Be not afraid of discomfort. If you can't put yourself in a situation where you are uncomfortable, then you will never grow, you will never change, and you will never learn. — Jason Reynolds.   Quotable Quotes "Get comfortable with being uncomfortable."   "Don't be boring."   "A leader needs to be visionary."   "Create emotional excitement within other people."   "Don't be boring, be curious, because the more curious you are, that's what leads to excitement."   "Curiosity leads to creativity, leads to innovation."   "To be engaging on screen, you need to learn how to be engaging on screen. You need to learn how to use your facial muscles. You need to learn how to smile. You need to learn how to connect with the camera."   “Storytelling is the ability to make something that may not be truly factual into a beautiful truth.”   Resources Mentioned The Leadership Podcast | Sponsored by | Rafti Advisors. LLC | Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | Alan Shortt in LinkedIn | Media Skills Ireland Website | Alan Shortt in Facebook | Alan Shortt in Twitter | Alan Shortt in Instagram | Media Skills Ireland in YouTube |

Mark A. Mears, keynote speaker and author of “The Purposeful Growth Revolution - Four Ways to Grow From Leader Legacy Builder,” discusses the importance of conscious capitalism. He emphasizes the importance of accountability beyond numbers, using the LEAF model (Leadership, Engagement, Accountability, Fulfillment). He shares his personal experience leading a turnaround and introduces the concept of paying it backward. He also suggests replacing annual performance appraisals with purposeful growth plans.         Key Takeaways [02:21] Mark Mears talks about his involvement in Conscious Capitalism and how businesses can make a positive difference in the world through purposeful growth. [06:06] He explains his LEAF model (Leadership, Engagement, Accountability, Fulfillment) and emphasizes the importance of accountability beyond just focusing on numbers by breaking down goals into lead and lag measures. He also stresses the need for transparency and engagement to build trust within teams. [10:26] Mark emphasizes the importance of identifying the right metrics for a business. He introduces the concept of "think, feel, do, and relate" as the four outcomes to consider.  [18:27] Mark shares a career failure that led to an epiphany for his book concept, emphasizing the importance of fulfillment in achieving growth and success.  He shares his personal experience of leading a turnaround for a restaurant chain but being let go after achieving success. This led him to develop the concept of paying it backward, which involves creating a nurturing environment where people feel valued and empowered to be their best selves. [28:00] Mark discusses the importance of understanding who you serve and how it leads to your motivation, superpowers, role on a team, and key metrics of performance. He suggests that leaders should act as coaches rather than managers and focus on personal growth plans for each team member. Mark advises listeners to learn how to love by listening, observing, valuing, and empowering others in their career.  [31:12] Mark also talks about the need for leaders to communicate clearly and listen better in order to align different perspectives towards common goals. He suggests replacing annual performance appraisals with purposeful growth plans that consider all four sub-brands (personal, internal, external, employer) for an organization's success. [38:22] Closing quote: No legacy is so rich as honesty. — William Shakespeare   Quotable Quotes "I don't want to just make money and retire. I want to make a difference and inspire."    "Businesses actually have the resources to help make a positive, lasting difference in the world."   "Necessity is the mother of invention."   "LEAF (Leadership, Engagement, Accountability, Fulfillment) is a symbol of growth and rebirth."   "Those of us who are great doers tend to get promoted and now we have to learn how to be leaders."   "We could do better in creating a more humanistic environment."   "Bringing love into the workplace. Listen, Observe, Value, and Empower."   "Until the robots or the zombies or chat GPT takes us away, we're all still human beings and we need to be treated like one."   "Being clear on what we stand for is important and having a clear understanding of where each of our team members are coming from."   "Your how represents your gifts or the role you play on the team to create maximum value."   "No legacy is so rich as honesty." - William Shakespeare.   These are the books mentioned in our discussion with Mark     Resources Mentioned Sponsored by | Rafti Advisors. LLC | Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | Mark Mears on LinkedIn | Mark Mears Website | Episode Mentioned:

Dan Horwich, a ‘Pay It Forward’ executive and President and Executive Director of CAMP IT Conferences, shares his philosophy on building meaningful relationships. In this episode, Dan emphasizes the importance of leading with kindness and empathy, as well as making introductions for others without expecting anything in return. As an expert networker, he provides valuable insights and advice for transitioning veterans. Dan encourages listeners to focus on helping others and emphasizes the significance of surrounding themselves with a network of good people. Furthermore, he stresses the importance of approaching human interactions with a kind and gentle spirit, highlighting the positive impact it can have on both personal and professional relationships.     Key Takeaways [03:36] Dan shares a powerful and personal story that influences his approach to networking. He recounts how his grandfather's life is saved during the Holocaust through a compassionate act of networking. This experience deeply impacts Dan, leading him to prioritize gratitude and helping others. It reinforces his existing networking practices but also prompts him to move faster and consider how he can assist those he meets. [08:05] Dan discusses the importance of relationship networking and serving others without expecting anything in return. He advises focusing on giving rather than getting and emphasizes the happiness and influence that come from helping others. He introduces a four-bucket rule for networking and encourages surrounding oneself with kind and coachable individuals. Dan emphasizes proactive networking and making quality introductions for others to build a strong network. [12:10] In our discussion, Dan emphasizes the importance of giving as much as you receive in networking and mentorship. He acknowledges that not everyone may reciprocate, but they focus on appreciating the introductions they receive. By constantly making introductions, they build relationships and expand their network. Despite occasional frustration, joy and personal growth outweigh any negative feelings. [14:11] Dan emphasizes the importance of attitude and emotional intelligence for successful tech leaders. He highlights resilience, humility, and a giver's mindset as key qualities. Dan encourages building relationships and treating others with respect. He cautions against closed-mindedness and stresses the need to understand the business value of technology. Building rapport and trust with business leaders is essential in the tech industry. [18:43] For Dan, around 10 to 20% of tech leaders truly excel in their roles, exhibiting qualities such as emotional intelligence, empathy, and open-mindedness. However, there is ample room for improvement and growth among the majority. Success in tech leadership is determined by factors like business partnerships, personal survival, and the esteem held by their team. It's important to recognize that not everyone brings their best selves to work due to personal challenges. [20:50] Dan highlights the importance of understanding between sell-side and     buy-side attendees. He coaches sponsors to see attendees as humans first, considering their personal concerns and goals. By enabling and empowering others, meaningful relationships are formed. Dan advises attendees to recognize sellers as potential networking resources for career growth. Mutual sensitivity and respect foster successful interactions. [23:56] During the discussion, Dan shared his approach to understand sellers and buyers' needs.  [26:17] When asked what advice he would give to his 25-year-old self, Dan emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with good humans, making logical decisions, and focusing on substantive matters instead of superficial achievements. Dan highlights the significance of kindness and integrity in building successful and fulfilling relationships. He also shares stories of questionable advice he received, urging the importance of maintaining integrity even at the cost of personal gain. [31:42] Dan discusses how his perspective on a good life has evolved over time. He emphasizes the importance of impacting others, enabling their success, and surrounding himself with good people. He contrasts the temporary happiness from material possessions with the lasting fulfillment that comes from helping others. According to him, “A good life involves achieving personal goals while prioritizing relationships, health, and gratitude.” [35:26] Dan  provides a challenge to listeners to help others amid tough times. He advises shifting focus from negativity to making introductions and checking in on people. By assisting positive individuals, one can find joy and opportunities. Dan encourages daily check-ins with two or three people, fostering a supportive network and improving personal circumstances. [38:04] Closing quote: In the long run, the sharpest weapon of all is a kind and gentle spirit. — Anne Frank   Quotable Quotes “It's about giving, not about getting."   "You do it without expectation... The more your heart compounds with happiness, the more you build a sphere of influence and a sphere of kindness."    "You should always be making introductions for other people, quality introductions, good humans. Because as you do that, you then become the sphere of influence. And then people, by their very nature, whether they feel indebted or not, they're still going to want to help you."    "The frustration is outweighed by the joy. So when you're able to give so much, you end up becoming a lot happier."   "Attitude over aptitude over technical aptitude."   "The best tech leaders that I know are resilient, humble, and have a giver's mindset."   "If you show the attendees how they can get promoted, you build a connection. It's not about the message you want to give them, it's about the message that they're going to receive."   "It's just understanding where people are at, what's important to them. And if you connect those dots, then you build a connection."   "You shouldn't go out there to impress people. You should go out there to enable and empower people."   "When both sides take the approach of getting to learn from each other and realize this is a human interaction, that helps."   "Surround yourself with good humans."   "Try and look through everything from a lens of logic."   "Focus on the things that are real and substantive."   "If you really want to have a happier life and a more successful, more fulfilling life, you surround yourself with good humans."   "Kindness was seen as a weakness."   "Money is important in a lot of ways, but it's not going to make you happy in tough times."   "Build a foundation of good humans and surround yourself with good humans."   "Just do it. Do it."   "A good life is the impact you have on others, on enabling others and empowering others."   "Surrounding yourselves with good humans and you're able to laugh and you help others, it goes back to that compounding of happiness."   "Good life is accomplishing certain goals."   Resources Mentioned The Leadership Podcast | Sponsored by | Rafti Advisors. LLC | Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | Dan Horwich LinkedIn | Camp IT Conferences Website |

Jim and Jan discuss the importance of compassion and courage in having difficult conversations. They emphasize the need for empathy, mutual solutions, and bi-directional dialogue. Jim and Jan also provide tips for creating a positive environment for such discussions, including clear expectations, empathy, and core values. They highlight the impact of small actions and encourage listeners not to be neutral in situations of injustice.      Key Takeaways [02:18] Jim and Jan delve into the significance of having the courage to engage in difficult conversations. They also touch on the fear that comes with these conversations and how it can be a warning sign to address. [09:47] Jim and Jan stress the need for empathy and finding mutual solutions in these conversations instead of just pointing out problems. They also acknowledge that difficult conversations are a two-way street and require forgiveness and bi-directional dialogue to be effective. They highlight the importance of approaching tough conversations with respect, understanding, validation, active problem-solving, and follow-up. [17:33] They discuss the challenges of having difficult conversations in organizations and offer tips on how to create a more positive environment for them. This includes setting clear expectations, using empathy and questions to facilitate collaboration, and focusing on core values like kindness, honesty, fairness, discipline, curiosity, and gratitude. [23:18] The importance of running effective meetings is also discussed as a key factor in reducing the burden of excessive meetings while increasing productivity and engagement. They advise to treat people with respect and seek meaningful connections through shared values and purpose when engaging in communicating.  [28:37] Jim and Jan also give three things that you would have to remember when it comes to these tough and difficult conversations. Also, some closing thoughts for Jim and Jan about having a difficult conversation. [35:31] Closing quote: Remember, if you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality. — Desmond Tutu   Quotable Quotes "If you care enough, you'll have the courage. If you don't care, the fear will override."   "Fear is such a strong signal to our logical brain."   "I just always try to put myself in the other person's shoes. Just say, like, hey, let me just play this out. If I were to receive this message, how do I think I'd react?"   "Tough conversations can be challenging, but approaching them with empathy or spec and a focus on finding solutions can greatly improve the outcome and foster positive relationships."   "We have to take responsibility for it being misinterpreted and ensure that our intentions come across in our words and deeds."   "Difficult conversations are not one way, they're a two-way street."   "We can create a positive environment where difficult conversations aren't difficult."   "Let's not react, but let's respond with thought."   "When we let our emotions and reactions govern how we hear and address things, it doesn't serve us well."   "Difficult conversations can occur in meetings, and collaboration is important."   "What's not being said is as important as what is being said."   "Expectation setting for people is a difficult conversation."   "Put yourself in the other person's shoes and have it be a process that you're collaborating on something rather than telling."   "My three would be similar: respect, use questions to help that person self-discover, and use questions to brainstorm on possible solutions together."   "The better we get at asking really good questions I think that's the road to righteousness."   "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality." - Desmond Tutu   Resources Mentioned The Leadership Podcast | Sponsored by | Rafti Advisors. LLC | Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC |

Aidan Higgins is the author of "Lead from you: We need aware, authentic and emotionally intelligent leaders. Leading from their best selves."  Aidan shares his insights on the importance of self-awareness, authenticity, and emotional intelligence in modern leadership. He discusses how childhood can shape the definition of success and the value of humor in leadership. He also shares practical tips on observing oneself to detect changes in emotion or behavior and finding a balance between productivity and calmness. The episode ends with a reminder to change one's awareness of oneself in order to bring about personal growth.     Key Takeaways [00:05] Aidan Higgins, is a leadership coach at Adeo Consulting and the author of "Lead from you". He believes that personal awareness and leadership awareness are the same thing and that leaders need to be conscious of their thoughts, emotions and how they act out, so their beliefs, thoughts, and emotions become their actions.  [12:07] The conversation is about leadership and the need to adapt to changing times and technologies. There is a focus on the need for collaborative leadership rather than a top-down approach. The issue of control is also discussed, with the suggestion that some leaders need to learn to let go of control in order to achieve better outcomes. [16:10] Effective leadership is not just about having good intentions but also about understanding one's definition of success and the impact of childhood training. Many leaders strive for succes and may not even enjoy their achievements. Self-awareness is essential to achieving a balance between productivity and calmness. [20:49]  Aidan also covers the importance of work ethic and discipline in the past, the role of having fun in bonding and interjecting humor in the workplace, and the challenges that leaders face in creating a good atmosphere for their team outside of work. [33:39] Aidan talks about the importance of overcoming addiction to being busy and finding a balance between productivity and calmness, which allows for more powerful and productive work. [35:08] Aidan shares a story about a successful leader who initially resisted change but eventually embraced it and brought the whole organization along by creating posters and explaining the "why" behind the changes.  Aidan finds joy in seeing the leader's transformation and success. [40:02] According to Aidan, commitment, openness, and trust were the three independent words that allowed the team to be successful in achieving their goals. [41:50] Aidan challenges us to be more self-aware and authentic in leadership by observing one's actions and thoughts, questioning why things are done a certain way, and being mindful of self-talk. The goal is to understand oneself better to achieve personal growth and avoid being controlled by external factors. [45:43] Closing quote: Remember, what is necessary to change a person is to change his awareness of himself. — Abraham Maslow   Quotable Quotes "Control was always an illusion.” "If the pressure is on so much, or you're in an environment where you cannot fail or you cannot take a risk, you can't move forward." "Character is who you are. Reputation is what people think of you, which you have no control over." "Not everybody has good intentions." "Appropriate humor in the right place at the right time is very useful, and having a sense of humor about things and about people and all that is very helpful." "Those without a sense of humor are not liked as leaders." "The truth without compassion is cruelty." "Stop and observe yourself." "You are not your thoughts." "If you're in the middle of a fog of anxiety or depression, you're not in the present." "You can't see opportunities because you're not in the present." "Watch the self-talk as well as another good indicator of the sort of mindset you're having." "What is necessary to change a person is to change his awareness of himself."  — Abraham Maslow   Resources Mentioned The Leadership Podcast | Sponsored by | Rafti Advisors. LLC | Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | Adeo Consulting Website| Aidan Higgins on Twitter | Aidan Higgins on LinkedIn | Adeo Consulting Facebook |

Linguistics professor, Valerie Fridland, explores the evolution of language and offers insights on how we can use it more effectively in the workplace. From the use of filled pauses and uptalk to the gender-based biases that affect language perception, Valerie provides a fascinating look at the role of language in our lives. Also discussed are the benefits of embracing language evolution, and how it can improve communication and connection in our personal and professional lives.   Key Takeaways [01:11] Valerie Fridland, a linguistics professor and author of "Like, literally, Dude: Arguing For Good In Bad English," challenges the notion of "correct" language and encourages us to embrace language evolution. Her personal experience as a parent highlights the importance of understanding language in the real world. [03:51] Valerie talks about speech patterns and language usage, including uptalk and discourse markers. People have specific likes and dislikes when it comes to language, including certain words or phrases that they find annoying or grating. However, many of these preferences are actually based on regional dialects or historical linguistic changes and may not be as important or incorrect as people think. [14:38] Valerie talks about how filled pauses, such as "ums" and "uhs," which are typically considered to be bad public speaking habits, are actually beneficial for speakers and listeners.  [20:10] Men and women process language similarly, but societal expectations and cultural models can influence the types of language they prefer. Young women are often the initiators and spreaders of language change. Different linguistic styles exist, but it's not about gender, it's about individual preference and social roles.  [25:14] Valerie also discusses the differences in language and style between generations, genders, and ethnic groups, and how these differences can affect communication in the workplace. While it's okay to have a preferred style of communication, it's also important to come to a compromise and be open to new ideas. [35:19] Tips from Valerie that we can implement to make our workplaces more inclusive of everyone linguistically. Leaders should be aware of their own language biases and avoid making assumptions based on linguistic characteristics such as voice pitch or discourse markers. By being more inclusive of diverse linguistic styles, leaders can create a more welcoming and productive workplace for everyone. [39:19] While social media and other forms of communication may be disseminating information faster than ever before, the actual changes in language are relatively slow compared to historical changes. Additionally, Valerie discusses and gives examples of how the speed at which we speak and the perceived charisma of a speaker is a complex interplay of various factors, including speech rate, pitch, intonation patterns, and the use of vocal fry. Varying the tempo and intonational variability can contribute to charismatic speech.  [47:04] Closing quote: Remember, slang is a language that rolls up its sleeves, spits on its hands, and goes to work. — Carl Sandberg   Quotable Quotes "Language is a window into our minds and how our minds work." "Language is constantly changing and evolving, and it's a really fascinating thing to study." "We can learn a lot about our society and how we view things through our language." "The social beliefs we have about language and the linguistic reality are completely opposite." "Filled pauses, or 'UMS' and 'UZ,' are actually a superpower for speakers and listeners." "UMS are signals of hard cognitive effort, and they help us process complex information." "UMS also signals to listeners that we're not done speaking and helps with turn-taking." "Language is a tool that we use to convey our thoughts and emotions, and it's important to understand how it works." "Language is not just about communication, it's also about identity and how we perceive ourselves and others." "Candor has to be in different contexts for different reasons." “Language is fun, and amazing. Language is a connection and communication. And sometimes we forget that we're not there to be perfect speakers, we're there to be connected speakers. So focus on connection and communication. You can't go wrong.” “Slang is a language that rolls up its sleeves, spits on its hands, and goes to work.” Carl Sandberg   Resources Mentioned The Leadership Podcast | Sponsored by | Rafti Advisors. LLC | Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | Valerie Fridland | Valerie Fridland on Twitter | Valerie Fridland on LinkedIn |

Sean Conley, Chief Learning Officer for Baker Hughes, discusses the importance of creating a people-first culture while still achieving results for your business. Sean talks about the importance of creating an environment where people want to learn and change their behavior through repetition and trial-and-error. He also touches on the challenges of our educational system and the need to create white space in calendars for growth and development amidst busy schedules. Join us as we explore the insights shared by Sean on the importance of investing in learners, fostering inclusion, and creating a culture of appreciation and effective communication.       Key Takeaways [01:02] Sean Conley, shares his 40 years of experience in learning and development, and he still finds himself passionate about what he does every day. He believes that this passion is crucial in helping others bring out the best in themselves and growing as a leader. [05:44] Sean discusses the importance of creating a learning environment where employees are given the choice to opt-in rather than being forced to participate in learning and development activities. He also discusses the importance of marketing and enticing employees to want to learn, rather than trying to push them into it.  [13:17] Sean encouraged people to pursue their interests and passions using the many available resources for learning, rather than just focusing on memorizing information. Behavior change should be the focus of learning. [15:49] Create white space for personal growth & development, focus on changing individual behavior rather than the whole organization, help people understand various ways to learn, it's about time focus not just management, recharge when needed, encourage learners to create their own white space. [18:11] Sean believes investing in frontline leaders is key for organizational success, setting habits and behaviors that follow them. Senior management should focus on developing talent rather than learning new skills, creating an ecosystem for growth and development and leaving a legacy by developing successors. [20:45] Sean talks about how an organization can't grow if its people can't grow. Growth opportunities should be given when the learners are ready. It's important to focus on behavior change and application of learning to shape an organization. [24:45] Sean answers the question, “What are we getting right and what are we getting not so right about inclusion?”. While there is progress in discussing inclusion in organizations, it's important to not only include those who are present but also consider who is not in the room and ensure everyone has a voice and is part of the dialogue.  [26:42] Sean discusses the importance of diversity of the mind in the workplace and how learning is a key part of shaping the culture of an organization. Different individuals have different learning styles and as such, learning programs need to be designed to cater to different types of learners.  [30:59] Sean agrees that leaders should start with ensuring that everyone in the tribe feels appreciated and valued for their contribution before addressing issues of belonging and inclusion. Sean also acknowledges the challenge of being a busy leader but sees it as a great reminder to prioritize appreciation in both business and personal life [35:19] Sean admits to still working on improving his communication skills and the art of telling, asking, and listening. He stresses the need to ask better questions and not simply react, but to listen intently to pull more information out. This highlights the idea that communication is an ongoing process that requires continuous improvement. [36:46]  When is it okay to break the rules?According to Sean, “Rules are just made up by people and they're made up at a time. So sometimes (it's not really) I won't say break(ing) the rules, but we get to question them sometimes.” [40:41] Closing quote: And remember, “He who learns but does not think is lost. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.” -  Confucius   Quotable Quotes "By investing in yourself and by growing yourself, you actually show up better for your customers." "Learning comes with behavior change." “Getting your brain going and learning something is better than none." "It's not time management, it's time focus." "Learning environment is part of how you shape a culture in an organization."  “Be courageous. It's the only place left uncrowded.” - Anita Roddick Resources Mentioned The Leadership Podcast | Sponsored by | Rafti Advisors. LLC | Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | Sean Conley on LinkedIn | Baker Hughes Website | Baker Hughes on LinkedIn | Baker Hughes on Twitter |