Peak Performance Leadership

According to DDI’s 2023 global leadership forecast, the top skills of leaders who boost engagement, retain great employees and create cultures that thrive is interpersonal communication skills. When it comes to interpersonal communication skills, one of the most common questions we get asked is, “How do you balance kindness, care and concern with attention to outcomes?” Everyone struggles with this tension. Yet, it’s the holy grail for safe, thriving cultures. Here’s the conundrum. Compassion without accountability gets you nowhere. Accountability without compassion gets you alienated. You can’t win if you pick sides, and trying to perform a balancing act between them is no better. The good news is that leaders no longer have to choose. Nate Regier, PhD, is the CEO and founder of Next Element Consulting, a global leadership consulting and training firm helping build cultures of compassionate accountability. Dr. Regier is a former practicing psychologist and expert in social-emotional intelligence, interpersonal communication, conflict skills, and leadership. Nate is a sought-after keynote presenter, recognized as a Top 100 keynote speaker. Nate is the author of four books: Beyond Drama; Conflict without Casualties; Seeing People Through; and his newest book, Compassionate Accountability. He hosts a podcast called “On Compassion with Dr. Nate,” writes a weekly blog, contributes to multiple industry publications, and is a regular guest on podcasts. Topics [00:04:44] "Compassionate accountability – not opposites" [00:06:57] Compassion mindset values people's capabilities, responsibilities. [00:11:28] Value switch: affirm experiences, separate person, vulnerability. [00:15:00] Leaders feel alone; Mastermind combats it. [00:17:02] Compassion and vulnerability create transformation in community. [00:21:48] Maximize capability through curiosity and investment. [00:27:13] Prescription for leaders: empathize, learn, aspire. [00:31:05] Accountability vs responsibility for leaders and teams. [00:34:22] Middle managers have limited control management advice. For the full show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/265

Lots of programs and benefits most often don’t lead to a more well employee. However, when employers install a culture of health in the workplace, employees are more than twice as likely to reach their well-being goals than employees who are still subject to a workplace wellness model that formed more than 60 years ago. Richard Safeer, MD, earned his BS in Nutritional Biochemistry at Cornell University under the tutelage of T. Colin Campbell, author of the China Study, before attending medical school at State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Safeer is the Chief Medical Director of Employee Health and Well-being at Johns Hopkins Medicine, where he leads the Healthy at Hopkins employee health and well-being strategy. He also holds faculty appointments in the School of Medicine and Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. Prior to arriving at Hopkins, Dr. Safeer practiced family medicine in Northern Virginia. He was then on faculty at the George Washington University, serving as the Residency Director of Family Medicine in his last year at the institution. He was the Medical Director of an Occupational Health Center in Baltimore and Wellness Director for the Mid-Atlantic region of the parent company, just before starting at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield in Baltimore, Maryland as the Medical Director of Preventive Medicine. He has been credited by some for bringing ‘wellness’ in to the realm of responsibilities of the managed care industry. He also led CareFirst BCBS to be among the first cohort of health plans to be accredited for Wellness by NCQA. He holds faculty appointments in both the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine as well as the School of Public Health. He continues to see patients one day a week in the Pediatric Cardiology department. Dr. Safeer is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice, The American College of Lifestyle Medicine and the American College of Preventive Medicine. He served on the board of directors for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. He is on the New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst Insight Council. Timestamped Overview [00:07:30] Small things lead to big well-being. [00:09:13] Shared values improve employee engagement and success. [00:14:35] Ideas for leaders to improve well-being.[00:18:49] Put mask on first, emotions impact team. [00:21:01] "Right mindset needed for successful leadership." [00:26:35] Six well-being building blocks for teams. [00:31:01] $80k is comfortable; money loses impact after. [00:32:51] Six steps to success in workplace wellness. [00:37:36] Connect with team through personal bonding activities. [00:43:59] Best boss cares, leads, and markets. For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/264

Burnout has become a pervasive and pressing problem in today's world. With increasing working hours, heightened expectations, and ever-present digital connectivity, people are finding it harder and harder to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Leaders and teams are no exception, as they experience heightened pressure to perform at their best on a consistent basis. Burnout is no longer just an individual issue, but has spread across industries and even whole societies. High levels of burnout can result in lost productivity, declining mental and physical health, and turnover in organizations. It is essential that we create a culture that supports work-life balance and employee well-being to mitigate this problem and enhance the performance of leaders and teams alike. On this episode I discuss burnout prevention in leaders and teams. I starts by highlighting the importance of being proactive rather than reactive and how burnout is prevalent in leaders worldwide. The goal is to provide tangible tips to combat burnout and reduce stress for oneself and the team, all while operating at one's peak to achieve the set goals. Additionally I emphasize the significance of psychological safety, job flexibility, and recognizing individual needs and circumstances to prevent burnout. Key Combatting Burnout Topics Topic: Scott McCarthy emphasizes the importance of being proactive rather than reactive. Being proactive rather than reactive is essential for leaders to excel in their endeavors. Proactive behavior allows leaders to control their activities and remain organized in their daily lives. Topic: Burnout among leaders and teams around the world. Burnout is a prevalent issue that affects leaders and teams worldwide. Burnout is a spectrum that ranges from feeling tired and run-down to being diagnosed with emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. Topic: Tangible tips to combat burnout and reduce stress for oneself and one's team. Scott McCarthy provides tangible tips for leaders and their teams to combat burnout and reduce stress. Proper communication, active listening, and creating a safe environment for team members are crucial strategies in preventing burnout. Mentioned Episode Listen to The Importance of Psychological Safety | Tim Clark | Episode 128 For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/263

When productivity spiked during 2020 many thought that this trend would continue once life returned to a sense of normalcy. However, since returning to the office many businesses are seeing lower levels of productivity and profitability from their employees who are no longer have any happiness in their lives. So how do we combat this problem? The first solution we tend to leap towards is higher pay brackets. But after a certain level of income, this simply doesn’t work anymore. We have to look deeper. Once we look past the paycheck we see engagement in work. Highly engaged employees record 23% higher profitability than those with low levels of engagement. Highly engaged employees are 87% less likely to leave their organization and we are all aware that staff turnover not only kills profits, it erodes team cohesion and therefore results. In today’s competitive job market, it’s more important than ever for leaders to focus on employee engagement and retention. CEO’s it’s time to prioritize job satisfaction in the workplace, but the question is, how? By focusing on the 7 human needs of peak performance, we can help create an engaged workforce where employees feel supported and have higher levels of job satisfaction. Internationally award-winning entrepreneur, rule breaker, and Reverse Engineering strategist. Jade supports business owners to have teams that are productive and profitable. At some stage a paycheck was enough to motivate people but in today's market you need to serve the seven human needs of your employees if you want them to be productive and profitable. When you understand these needs you can hack your company culture and elevate your success indicators across all metrics. Timestamped overview for The Power of Happiness [00:04:56] Jade's personal journey to entrepreneurship and advocating for employee happiness. [00:11:17] Founding a business on personal reputation and the importance of organizational bonds. [00:18:08] Building well-being and social connections as foundational elements for peak performance. [00:24:14] Tim Clark's four stages of psychological safety and the importance of connection and wellness. [00:32:25] Motivating personnel through significance and future vision. [00:35:44] Aligning departments towards a common future vision. [00:45:02] Building connection and understanding employee needs through effective communication. [00:49:39] Prioritizing employee well-being through coaching, redesigning work, and meaningful connections. [00:53:39] The importance of understanding and appreciating others with Five Love Languages. For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/262

Welcome to this episode of the podcast, focused on personal and professional growth, leadership, and self-improvement. In this episode, we'll hear from a speaker who shares his experiences playing rugby league and arm wrestling, training in martial arts, and now using his platform to help others improve their vitality. We'll explore topics like the difference between leadership and coaching, the importance of constant change and improvement, and the power of celebrating wins, as well as the importance of personal health and fitness for high performance and success. Join us as we dive into strategies for leadership and personal growth in this episode. In the last ten years David has studied many successful teams and individual athletes, from The All Blacks (Rugby Union), to Rafael Nadal (Tennis), Ronda Rousey (MMA, UFC) and many other successful teams and individuals. They all in their own way, follow a similar structure to the "5 Step System Towards Improved Vitality in the Workplace" that David has come up with to improve workplace relations, morale and profitability of your business. David has personally used this System many times to achieve results outsiders said were never possible. Timestamped Overview [00:04:01] David shares his journey from being a small kid who played rugby league, suffered a career-ending injury, got into arm wrestling, broke his arm, became a gym manager and personal trainer but lost movement in his arm, went into martial arts, had professional cage fights and boxing matches, and now is a speaker sharing his message on improving vitality. [00:11:07] Overcoming tough times builds resilience and uncovers one's true character. Talent alone is not enough for success; hard work and training are essential. [00:14:49] Make time for what's important, or make excuses. [00:16:10] Creating positive habits for improved vitality through routines, napping for peak performance, and utilizing systems and strategies. Quality sleep, utilizing the Pomodoro technique, and being healthy and fit also contribute to improved performance. Solutions-oriented mindset is key to overcoming challenges. [00:22:54] The importance of tapping and evolving in martial arts and business, using examples of companies like McDonald's and failed companies like Nokia and Blockbuster. Failing fast, failing forward, and learning from mistakes is crucial for growth and success. [00:30:57] Celebrate wins and losses, effort and dedication. Reward what you want repeated with public recognition. Building a tight-knit team creates a productive environment. [00:36:38] Process of continuous improvement in coaching and sports teams through recap and analyzing what worked and what didn't work. Emphasis on communication and finding solutions to problems, rather than throwing blame. Similar process can be applied in the workplace. Recap is necessary as no one can play the perfect game, and constantly improving is necessary to stay ahead. [00:43:44] The evolution of technology is rapid and those who cling to the old ways will be overtaken quickly. [00:47:07] Leadership and coaching are different, but both important. The speaker emphasizes humility and not forgetting where you come from. [00:50:37] David Lindsay promotes his speaking tour, courses, and content on LinkedIn and TikTok for personal and professional improvement. Contact him via LinkedIn or email for more information. For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website; https://leaddontboss.com/261

The workplace of the future — the officeverse — will disrupt many of today’s organizational models. The future officeverse will be the anytime/anyplace world of where we will work, when we will work, and how we will work. It will consist of a network of networks, with tools that will shape us in surprising ways over the next decade and beyond. The officeverse will provide a more equitable, accessible, purposeful, climate-positive future for knowledge work. While it will bring many challenges, including new concepts of sharing and managing boundaries, in the officeverse organizations will require flexibility and empowerment rather than command and control.  To prepare for the potential opportunities of the wider officeverse, every office worker, organization and policy maker should imagine how the world of work will look 10 years into the future. Such “futureback” thinking — opposed to present-forward — helps us to work backward from the future and make better decisions in the present. Questions to ask, starting with, “What’s the purpose of your office and officing?” and “What are the desired outcomes you aim to achieve with your office and by your office activities?” prompt answers along a spectrum for each of seven key areas.  Bob Johansen began working with IFTF in 1973 and has worked as a professional futurist for nearly 50 years. The author or co-author of 12 books and a frequent keynote speaker, he recently completed a trilogy of that details the types of leadership that will thrive in the next decade. The New Leadership Literacies focuses on essential practices of leadership, picking up where Leaders Make the Future, its more skills-oriented precursor, left off; in 2020, he published Full-Spectrum Thinking, which focuses on the need for a futureback mindset. For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/260

On this episode of Peak Performance Leadership, I am doing a live Q&A in a Facebook group and answering questions about effective leadership. I tackle the challenge of showing appreciation to remote workers, motivating employees to care about their job, and improving punctuality. In addition, they explore whether discipline is effective in the workplace. I talk about how the three domains of leadership: Leading Yourself, Leading Your Team, and Leading Your Organization, and how excelling in all three can make a leader successful in their role.  For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/259

On this episode of Peak Performance Leadership, we discuss the importance of effective planning practices and leadership strategies to improve productivity within a business or team. We explore how to effectively incorporate AI into processes, address employee concerns and trust, and build relationships among team members in both in-person and virtual settings. Our guest speaker shares the ten core areas of waste that hinder success and introduces his lean strategic planning technique as a simplified approach to planning that can be tailored to any team or company. Tune in for tips on streamlining processes, improving productivity, and seizing opportunities as a leader. All of this with the new hybrid workplace in mind. Crista Grasso is an international lean and agile business consultant to Fortune 50 multi-billion dollar businesses, strategic advisor to 6 - 8 figure small businesses and entrepreneurs, and creator of the Lean Out Method®, 90-Day Lean Out Planner, and the Lean Business Scaling SystemTM. She is also the host of the Lean Out Your Business Podcast where she shares her top strategies to simplify and scale a business. Crista has been helping businesses achieve accelerated and sustainable results and increased profitability for more than two decades. Known as the "Business Optimizer", Crista has the ability to quickly cut through the noise and focus on optimizing the core things that will make the biggest impact to grow and scale a business. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and holds several lean, agile, change management, and program management certifications.  For the complete description be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/258

Naval fighter pilots are known for their unwavering commitment to excellence, exceptional decision-making skills, and expertise. These top performers offer valuable insights that can be applied in the business world. With decades of experience in stressful situations, they have mastered ten key leadership skills: staying calm under pressure, setting expectations, delegating tasks, building trust, giving feedback, evaluating risk, adapting to change, embracing failure, encouraging innovation, and inspiring others. Despite operating in dangerous and uncertain conditions, Naval fighter pilots consistently perform at the highest level, confidently making life-altering decisions with their expertise.  A former “Top Gun” fighter pilot (call sign “Nasty”), Retired Admiral Mike Manazir’s distinguished U.S. Navy career spanned 36 years and included multiple commands: VF-31 ‘Tomcatters’ F-14D squadron, USS Sacramento, USS Nimitz, and Carrier Strike Group Eight in the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. His new and best-selling, “Learn How to Lead to Win,” features 33 powerful stories and leadership lessons based on real life events in the chaotic and risky business of operating off the decks of U.S. aircraft carriers. At its core, the book reflects Manazir’s selfless passion for developing people. Timestamped overview [00:00:46] Call signs used in fighter aviation are for communication brevity to easily identify individuals and aircraft. Call signs typically come from something an individual is known for or a play on their name. The origin of the speaker's call sign is explained in a book. [00:02:54] Speaker discusses the three major themes in their book "Learn How to Lead to Win": having a vision, dealing with failure, and being resilient. They share their own experience of having a vision to join the Naval Academy, failure in their career, and finding a new path. They encourage listeners to have a North Star and keep going towards it, even if the path is not straight or as expected. [00:09:40] Having a clear goal or "North Star" is the key to resilience and success, even when faced with setbacks like injury or failure. It's important to keep pushing forward towards that goal and not give up, even if the timeline or path changes. This mindset helped many people and companies stay afloat and thrive during the COVID pandemic. Ultimately, success is made through perseverance and determination. [00:13:58] Seize opportunities with a clear plan and team perspective. [00:14:51] Leading a high-performing team requires leading from the heart, getting to know team members, valuing their input, and establishing trust through human connection. It's important to not lead with a title and to be willing to fail and learn from it. [00:20:02] Learning from failure is necessary for high performance, but repeating failures can have serious consequences. Hard discussions and debriefs can help prevent repetition of failures. [00:22:30] Communication is key in leadership, regardless of team size and location. Effective communication involves connecting with every team member, enabling dialogue and feedback, and being present in their environment. Leaders must also seek feedback on their communication effectiveness and adjust accordingly. [00:27:46] Effective leadership requires connecting with your team as equals, rather than relying solely on your job title to motivate and inspire them. For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/257

Marc Lesser is a speaker, facilitator, workshop leader, and executive coach. He is known for his engaging, experiential presentations that integrate mindfulness and emotional intelligence practices and training. He is the author of 4 books, including Seven Practices of a Mindful Leader: Lessons from Google and a Zen Monastery Kitchen, and CEO of ZBA Associates, an executive development and leadership consulting company. His podcast Zen Bones: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times features cutting-edge interviews, supportive tools for creating more meaningful work, and potent mindfulness practices to develop yourself, influence your organization, and change the world. ​ Marc helped develop the world-renowned Search Inside Yourself (SIY) program within Google – a mindfulness-based emotional intelligence training for leaders which teaches the art of integrating mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and business savvy for creating great corporate cultures and a better world. He founded and was CEO of 3 companies, and has an MBA degree from New York University. Marc was a resident of the San Francisco Zen Center for 10 years, and director of Tassajara, Zen Mountain Center, the first Zen monastery in the western world. He leads Mill Valley Zen, a weekly meditation group. Timestamped overview [00:00:37] Accountability is about aligning values, aspirations, success, leadership, and trust with compassion.[00:04:14] Building great cultures by creating purpose and meaning, utilizing trust, and building character and well-being.[00:08:53] Businesses provide goods/services to serve people, allowing them to live.[00:09:59] "Asking "How are we doing?" to create healthy workplaces and effective, difficult conversations requires self-awareness and a contemplative practice to avoid blame and defense."[00:15:50] Tendency to blame when threatened; reflex to blame without conscious thought; story of accidental email; skillful creating of safe space to remove blame; blame prevents connection and solutions.[00:19:42] Teaching Google engineers self awareness through mindfulness and feedback to control emotions during times of tension.[00:25:18] Ask teammates how to make team/relationship more effective and listen.[00:27:48] Team building through conversation and improv activities.[00:31:57] Listening and self-awareness are essential leadership skills. For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/256