Many leaders struggle with giving freedom for their employees to do their best work, because they forget to provide some structure for them to work in.

In today's episode, Alex and Cy talk about leader's role in finding the balance between structure and play. In the conversation, they go into a key Reality-Based Leadership focus that all leaders need to have, is setting your nonnegotiable as a leader to then get people to buy into those. From there, people are allowed to bring their best self play in the workplace so to speak and create magic.

They also cover why it's so important to focus on this balance because too much structure and people believe we're over proceduralized. And they feel like they can't do any work and too much play, then it's really a free-for-all and innovation can't happen.

So the magic comes from just enough structure and then people are allowed to innovate and collaborate knowing they have the same basics, so this is a really, really important episode to setting the groundwork for good leadership and Cy and Alex can't wait to hear your thoughts.

If you're a leader that is currently leading your team through change, transformation, innovation, and noticing that there is a lot of resistance concern or fear, this is the podcast for you.

Cy and Alex dive deep into what they call Business Readiness, which is their modern take on traditional change management. In short, change management has been the name of the game in leadership for years and in many ways still is, but Reality-Based Leadership is starting to see that it is not ready for the modern workplace. It is a model that responds to change.

It notices change happening and then starts to manage it, where Business Readiness is a forward, thinking, leaning in to ensure that people are ready, willing, and able to deliver on what the business needs. This shift and mindset will help you transform in the way which your team embraces and sees it as an opportunity to capitalize on it, so where change management focuses on change being least disruptive to the people, Business Readiness is a model that helps you ensure that change is least disruptive to your customers, your patients, and your organization.

Cy and Alex go back-and-forth on how this connects to resilience and how you can build resilience in your people and readiness in your systems in your organization. And this sweet spot is how to disruption-proof your workplace and ensure that it can handle whatever change comes its way. You don't want to miss any word in this podcast, so be sure to tune in.

Join Cy and Alex in this thought-provoking episode where they answer the challenging question of what to do with a 'toxic genius' or a high-perfomer that happens to be high-drama? 

Inspired by an episode that Alex heard in which Brene Brown, Simon Sinek and Adam Grant brought up the concept and the challenge in handling these scenarios, Cy and Alex discuss the impact of this type of employee on the workplace and how leaders can navigate the situation. Cy and Alex dive deep into research from Reality-Based Leadership's 2nd book (Reality-Based Rules of the Workplace) and the Employee Value Equation that was able to get scientific and specific of the cost of drama. This equation gives you a self-assessment that can be used to start the conversation on reducing drama and doing better math on the value a high-performer that is costing a lot in emotional expensiveness to a team and organization.

This is one of the hardest leadership situations to approach and the tips and tools in this episode give you tons of direction in doing better math around the value each person on your team is adding to the work at hand.

Cy and Alex also touch on how this equation changes the conversation around quietly quitting and discuss the importance of not simply measuring performance, but also change readiness and emotional expensiveness of each person on a team.

Truly a fascinating conversation. We can't wait to hear your biggest takeaways!

Ready to take the Employee Value Equation self-assessment and calculate your drama-level? Don't be scared! This is the starting point to bringing your most evolved self to work.

info.realitybasedleadership.com/equation

I'm excited to introduce you to a friend and colleague, Dave McKeown, who blew my mind when I first heard him speak and found our messages are so well aligned. Dave is the Founder & CEO of Outfield Leadership, and is also a speaker, author, and trainer. We're talking about why with billions of dollars spent on leadership development, we're still not getting results. This episode shares our thoughts on how leaders can gain more power over their own development and increase their results.

Learn more about the book at www.SelfEvolvedLeader.com

The final episode in this Q&A series has more great workplace drama topics, including:

• how to have tough conversations with employees
• how to roll out the employee value equation with your team
• overcoming your fear of speaking up, especially when dealing with someone in power

Learn about our Certification Program. Our next class is on March 18-20, 2020! https://bit.ly/2KQDqYM

Season 3 of the Podcast starts Jan. 13, 2020! I'll be answering your in-depth "Dear Cy" letters. Submit your own letter here: https://bit.ly/35jTfiX

In the 3rd episode of this 4-part series, I'm sharing more of my Q&A with our Certified Facilitators. In today's episode, we're talking about how I use tools to manage people out of their ego's grip, including these tools:

- The Thinking-Inside-the-Box Tool to increase individual commitment and accountability
- The SBAR Tool to empower people to solve their own problems
- The Edit Your Story tool to move people out of venting

Learn about our Certification Program. Our next class is on March 18-20, 2020! https://bit.ly/2KQDqYM

I'd love to have you join me on the Ditch the Drama Tour! Get your tickets now: https://bit.ly/369jVTQ

I think you're going to love this exclusive 4-part Q&A session with our Certified Facilitators where I talk candidly about:

- the toggle switch concept, and why it's important for both leaders and employees

- how to effectively use self-reflection questions to bypass ego

- how leaders hinder accountability

- managing employees who vent and share unhelpful opinions

- how to create shared accountability in meetings

- why engagement has everything to do with us; not our circumstances.

Learn about our Certification Program: https://bit.ly/2KQDqYM

I've known Robb Holman for years and we're both out there speaking and training to change hearts and minds! I fell in love with Robb's first book, Lead the Way, which helps leaders self-reflect on their value from the inside, and now in his new book coming out this week, All In, he teaches us how to build trust, bring out the best in each other and proactively connect with our teams.

Learn more at GetAllInBook.com

Join me on the Ditch the Drama Tour: RealityBasedLeadership.com/DTD2020

Dr. Lynn Marie Morski is a quitting evangelist. She helps people quit strategically through her book, Quitting by Design, and her podcast, Quit Happens, along with speaking and coaching. I first heard her speak this year and was in love with her humorous presentation and her practical tips for quitting those things in our life that are holding us back from greater joy and peace. I especially loved creating the "no" list!

Buy her book at https://quittingbydesign.com/
Follow her on Instagram @quittingbydesign

Join Cy and Alex on this episode as they chat through the times someones shares, "But, we don't really have drama here." This is often where the loud drama (venting, complaining, gossip around the water cooler) isn't a big issue, but silent drama is out to play. Curious about the difference? You're not going to want to miss this episode.

Just a hint, silent drama often shows up as subtle lack of alignment to the strategies your organization is laying out or chronic resistance to change. These tougher to recognize workplace drama culprits really slow a team down and cause work to be more challenging than ever.

Download the Thinking Inside-The-Box tool: https://info.realitybasedleadership.com/box

To learn more or to book Cy or Alex to speak at your next event or training be sure to visit Reality-Based Leadership or fill out this form to connect with the team!

I'm reposting this very special podcast that I recorded last year around Thanksgiving. As we are upon the holiday season in our country, I find myself reflecting on gratitude and what it means in my life. In this episode, I'm talking about my view of gratitude, how we can go beyond only being grateful what you agree with or are happy about, and learning how to move to a place beyond ego where you can find gratitude in all things.

Loving this podcast? Leave me a rating and a review! I'd be so grateful.

In this week's episode, I'm answering two fan questions about how to handle difficult employee situations, including coaching the difference between sharing feelings and venting, and getting people to focus on their own business and "stay in their lane."

Questions answered:

- What is the difference between sharing a feeling vs. venting?

-Do you have any tips on helping keep employees in their own lane?

Season 3 of the Podcast is coming! Submit a letter to me with your workplace drama questions and I may answer it on an upcoming show! https://bit.ly/2Pc9LKa

In our 4th and final episode in this series, Dr. Sasha Shillcutt and I are talking about how we as women tend to play small, minimize our successes and think, it's just too good to be true. The reality is that these thoughts are rooted in fear and scarcity, and we can all choose to move beyond this negative self-talk in order to achieve more joy in our lives.

We'd love it if you shared this series with all the women in your life!

Follow both of us @cywakeman and @become_brave_enough

Have a question for us? Submit it anonymously here: https://bit.ly/2Pc9LKa

I'm excited to introduce you to Safi Bahcall, a physicist, entrepreneur, and the bestselling author of Loonshots. Safi talks about the competing forces in a company that suddenly change from embracing wild new ideas to rigidly rejecting them. So many organizations are focused on culture, but Safi emphasizes the importance of small shifts in the structure of an organization that can have a radical breakthrough in group behavior.

Buy Loonshots: loonshots.com

Follow Safi @SafiBahcall

In our 3rd episode of this 4-part podcast series, Sasha Shillcutt and I are addressing another big thing that holds women back: our misconceptions around failure and how we can move on from it. We'll also talk about the limiting factors of internalizing failures without properly reflecting on them.

Follow Sasha @become_brave_enough

Have a question for us? Submit it anonymously here: https://bit.ly/2Pc9LKa

I asked for your questions about the philosophy a week or so ago and got over 100 responses! I'm answering 2 of them today with Alex Dorr, our VP of People Evolution.

"I don't always have 10 minutes to react without emotion. Sometimes I feel like I need 10 hours to respond with grace! However, a response is often needed in 10 seconds. How can I maneuver these 'right now' situations?" - Suzy Kraemer

"How can I coach the highly-engaged but low-accountable employee, especially when there is a group of them?" - Angela Feldkamp Beck

SBAR Tool: http://bit.ly/2InNWFQ

In episode #2 of this 4-part series on limiting beliefs that hold women back, Sasha Shillcut and I are discussing preconceived notions we have of women around us, comparison, competition and stereotypes and the toxic roles they play in our relationships. We'll cover breaking down the stories we tell ourselves so that we can separate the drama and misery from peace and joy.

Follow Sasha @become_brave_enough

Have a question for us? Submit it anonymously here: https://bit.ly/2Pc9LKa

Alex Dorr (VP of People Evolution and Speaker/Trainer with RBL) and I are riffing on a bunch of great topics around change today that we commonly hear or see on the road. Topics we cover include:

- How to handle change fatigue

- Why we resist change and how to develop resilience

- Why standardization is your friend

- What's yours and what is the organization's when it comes to decisions

Follow Alex @alexmdorr and listen to his podcast, The Carvery: http://bit.ly/alexdorr

Join Cy and Alex as they have a fascinating conversation with Stephen Shedletzky (Shed) on how to Create a Speak Up Culture. Listen along as they dive into this topic and what it looks like when leaders in the workplace manage and nurture a safe space to empower others to speak up. You can find more on Shed by visiting his website here

Ladies, I'm so excited to share this series with you, posting every Wednesday for the next 4 weeks. Dr. Sasha Shillcut and I are going to be breaking down the most common limiting beliefs that hold women back and ultimately limit our success and happiness. This week we're going to tackle a major thought distortion we all struggle with: All or nothing thinking! We'll also talk about how perfectionism keeps us from doing brave new things.

Follow Sasha @become_brave_enough

Have a question for us? Submit it anonymously here: https://bit.ly/2Pc9LKa

Meet one of my favorite people: Maren Showkeir, a fellow author, teacher, yogini, and editor of my book, No Ego. She and I are so aligned in our philosophies on life and work - especially when it comes to accountability, ditching the victim mindset, how we cause our own suffering and getting intentional about how we show up at work and in our personal lives.

This conversation will motivate you to tune into your intentions and light a fire under your commitment to practice it daily.

Books:

Yoga Wisdom at Work: https://amzn.to/2kemykJ

Authentic Conversations: https://amzn.to/2kGLmlF

I'd love to hear from you! Leave me a comment and a review!

This week I'm sharing a special pre-recorded interview with Paycom's HR Break Room at the SHRM 2019 Annual Conference. Our topic is how HR can lead cultural change. Some things we discuss are: Why I think HR has traditionally fueled drama, what we can learn from Millennials about pushing for and embracing change, how we can get our teams to embrace new technology, and how we can create a culture that is nimble and ready for what's next.

Loving this podcast? Leave me a review and share your thoughts with me in the comments.

This is a special episode with a great friend of mine in the HR world, Sarah Morgan. I've been following along with her podcast, blog and #BlackBlogsMatter Challenge for a while now and am always impressed with how she is working to evolve HR practitioners and workplaces everywhere. The topic of our conversation today is about a blog she wrote: "What's in an Ally?" where she talks about the 5 things that really make you an ally at work and how to talk about tough issues surrounding diversity and inclusion.

Blog: https://bit.ly/2k25yOG

Book: We Can't Talk About That at Work: https://amzn.to/2kgevnK

Book: Me and White Supremacy: https://amzn.to/2kgeEaM

Follow Sarah @thebuzzonhr

My guest this week is Tayo Rockson, a storyteller, cultural translator, and brand strategist for change-makers on a mission to use his difference to make a difference. Our conversation today has me reflecting on how we can make better cross-cultural connections, focus not on our intentions, but our impact, and live with radical self-awareness as we seek to better understand the world around us.

Follow Tayo everywhere on social @tayorockson

Pre-Order Tayo's book coming out Sept 4: Use Your Difference to Make a Difference https://amzn.to/33UPDDJ

We've all been in meetings that go astray or are unproductive, and leave us completely frustrated. In today's episode, I'm answering a couple more questions from you about this very topic! I'll be sharing my best tips and tools to make your meetings go smoothly and keep drama out of it, whether you are leading it, or simply a participant.

Think Inside the Box Tool: https://bit.ly/2YyPAgZ

More Free Tools: https://bit.ly/2OeedMg

Loving this podcast? I'd love to hear from you! Leave me a rating and a review!

Kristen Hadeed founded Student Maid in college with zero knowledge about leadership or running a company. Along the way, she has uncovered some pretty awesome truths about how to build teams and workplaces that are engaged and create results. Kristen's company is more than just about cleaning toilets, it's about building the future generation of leaders. Listen in as she talks about authenticity, limiting beliefs and giving herself permission to screw up.

Learn more at kristenhadeed.com

Follow me everywhere @cywakeman

Back by popular demand, Cy and Alex sit down to talk about the latest topics in leadership as they are out speaking on the circuit with the top leaders across the globe. The hottest topic that is coming up is all around trust and how it fits with leading in a Reality-Based way. How does trust fit in? Can you use the tools and principles you are talking about if trust isn't there?

Trust is absolutely important on a team and in a leadership moment when you are calling teams to greatness. However, trust can be layered with so many other things as a way for someone to avoid a call to greatness that could help them evolve.

Cy and Alex do a deep dive into trust in the workplace, some misconceptions with the topic, how it affects the team, and how trust isn't solely the responsibility of the leader to create.

So if you are looking for tips and ideas to:

• Create more trust on your team
• Build more trust in your culture
• Understand how to truly create sustainable trust at work
• Clarify why trust is such a hard thing to build with others
• Become more trustworthy in your life in a variety of work situations

Then this is the podcast for you.

Be sure to share this episode with all of your team members and discuss your biggest insight or takeaway.

Download the Edit Your Story Tool. 

Cy Wakeman is the President and Founder of Reality-Based Leadership. Alex Dorr is VP of People Evolution at Reality-Based Leadership and has been standing side-by-side with Cy for almost a decade. Together, they have been helping leaders modernize their approach to leadership and to ditch the drama in the workplace.

To learn more or to book Cy or Alex to speak at your next event or training be sure to visit Reality-Based Leadership or fill out this form to connect with the team!

My guest this week is on a quest to create 100 million deep listeners, and he just converted one more in me! Oscar Trimboli, an author and keynote speaker, has some incredibly practical tips for becoming a better listener. You'll also learn about the top myths of listening and the 4 villains of listening. Find out which deep listening crimes you are committing!

Learn more at ListeningMyths.com

Loving this podcast? Leave me a rating and a review!

In my personal life, I discovered 3 questions that literally changed my life. When I used them in the workplace, I realized it had a major impact on reducing suffering and stress on my teams, and increasing productivity, creativity, teamwork, and happiness.

We all have an ego that distorts our view of reality and leads us down the wrong path unless we are aware of it and have the tools to move us into our high selves. These 3 questions are just the tools you need to free you from your ego so you can move on to have impact in this world.

Enjoying this podcast? Please leave me a rating and a review!

On today's episode, I'm answering some of YOUR questions about how to succeed in spite of changes and stress at work.

1. My team gets stressed at work when someone else makes a mistake. How can I reduce their suffering and get them helping, instead of judging?

2. We are moving into a new space within the year and there is a lot of turmoil and drama on the team. How can I get them to see the new opportunities instead of the negative?

Have a question you'd like me to answer? Submit it here: https://bit.ly/2Pc9LKa

You're in for a treat with today's guest: Meliessa Ogrodowski, HR pro and Director of Learning and Development at Craft Brew Alliance. She shares a behind-the-scenes look at how she built a learning and talent development culture from the ground up at CBA, using RBL philosophy as the foundation. In doing so, they transformed their hiring process, performance reviews and appraisals, employee survey, and so much more. You'll be blown away by their amazing results!

Learn more about our Train the Trainer Certification program: https://bit.ly/2UPHpMm

Today my guest is Martha Bird, a Business Anthropologist with ADP. She and I are talking all about how we can use the discipline of anthropology to evolve and transform the way we work, our technology and products with curiosity and seeing the world through the lenses of others.

Find Martha on social @anthro_tweeter

Follow me everywhere @cywakeman

Loving this podcast? I'd love your feedback! Please leave me a review and a rating!

This week, Alex Dorr finally pinned me down to talk about feedback in the workplace! He was able to pull out some of my best stories on the subject, which I'm confident will keep you entertained and learning how the ego can easily interfere in these conversations. Many fear giving and receiving feedback, but when it's based in reality - there's nothing to fear. This podcast is great for leaders and individual contributors alike!

Loving this podcast? Leave me a review and a rating! I'd love to hear from you!

Follow me everywhere @cywakeman

Follow Alex Dorr @alexmdorr

This week's guest is Mikey Ellis, a Culture Strategist at Pragmatic Thinking. In our chat, we explore the age-old question of what it takes to build a great work culture, including the leader's responsibility, as well as that of the employee. Mikey and I share a passion for creating workplaces that empower people to do great things together, as well as a love and appreciation for a glass of great wine from time to time!

Follow Mikey on IG @mikey.ellis

Follow me everywhere on social @cywakeman

After a pivotal moment surviving a life-threatening bike accident, Michael decided it would be his last bad day. In his recovery, he made a commitment to stop chasing happiness. Now as a coach, speaker and author, he is on a journey from being a human doer to a human being. This episode will inspire you to look at your life differently and consider making today your last bad day.

Learn more about Michael at MichaelObrienShift.com

Loving this podcast? Please leave me a rating and a review!

This podcast is a call to greatness for leaders who are practicing the philosophy to stay true to a wider concept of keeping an open mind, an open heart and staying curious. It's about how we can fall into overusing one part of the philosophy - calling people to greatness, accountability - and underusing self-compassion and compassion towards others. When this happens, we find ourselves out of balance.

My desire is for you to use this podcast as a self-reflection of how you are evolving yourself first, and then your talent, so you can go out and do great things in this world.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Leave a rating and a review!

Follow me everywhere @cywakeman

I love this week's guest, as she takes an evidence-based approach to prepare and engage working moms (aka "LeaderMoms") in the sometimes wonderful, sometimes rocky, professional path. This episode is great for moms and employers alike as we find a way to address real business problems of unwanted turnover and gender equality, while reducing the guilt, anxiety, and fear that comes along with being a LeaderMom.

Learn more at LeaderMom.com

Follow on social @LeaderMomOfficial

If you're loving this podcast, leave me a rating right here. I'd love to know what you think!

Join Cy in her interview with the amazing Dr. Laura, an Industrial/Organizational and Career Psychologist who has over 20+ years experience in the field. She is also a keynote speaker, thought leader, author and hosts her own podcast Where Work Meets Life. In this episode, they discuss how to lead your team effectively and efficiently while working remote. How to create a workplace, that supports people's mental well being. You can find Dr. Laura's work on her website at DrLaura.live 

If you've noticed that I've upped my speaking game, let me introduce you to my secret weapon: My speaking coach, Fia Fasbinder with The Moxie Institute! Every leader role comes with it a need for good speaking skills, whether you are in a 1:1, a board meeting or on stage. This podcast is full of techniques you can try out immediately to up your game so that people hear the wonderful content you have to deliver.

Learn more about The Moxie Institute. 

Follow me everywhere @cywakeman

The fact is that many of our marriages end, and today's guest, Ashley-Nicole Russell, is a lawyer advocating for a more collaborative approach to work through this grief-filled process. She exposes divorce for what it is: A broken system that is breaking children, families, and employees. Her book, The Cure for Divorce Culture, contains the recipe for a healthy life through divorce. Her innovative approach is changing the divorce culture for generations to come!

Follow Ashley @anrlaw

Buy Ashley-Nicole's book: The Cure for Divorce Culture 

Loving this podcast? Leave me a review and share your feedback!

Follow me everywhere @cywakeman

I'm thrilled to bring you a personal favorite of mine: Dr. James R. Doty, M.D. I was first introduced to Dr. Doty through his book, Into the Magic Shop, and have continued to be inspired by the work he is doing as a neurosurgeon, philanthropist, and Director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research at Stanford University. You will love his incredible morning routine for setting your intentions for the day.

Follow Dr. Doty on social @jamesrdotymd

Learn more about his work: http://ccare.stanford.edu

Follow me everywhere @cywakeman and leave a review of this podcast if you're loving it!