Podcast Lead with Levity by Heather Walker, Ph.D. Episodes

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	Title	Pub. Date	Duration
	Insights and Inspiration from Hannah Dannecker on Embracing Gen Z in the Workforce	25 Nov 2024	00:37:41
Send us a text In today's rapidly evolving workforce landscape, understanding the unique needs and perspectives of Generation Z is crucial for fostering a harmonious and productive work environment. In a recent episode of the Lead with Levity podcast, hosted by Dr. Heather Walker, Hannah Dannecker, a Gen Z advocate and founder of the Better Together Group, shared her insights on connecting with Gen Z employees, dispelling misconceptions, and the importance of communication between generations. Understanding Gen Z in the Workplace One of the key topics addressed in the podcast was the common misconception that Gen Z is lazy. Hannah challenges this stereotype, explaining how Gen Z has adapted to a digital world, significantly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. She stresses the importance of understanding the context behind Gen Z's behaviors and the need for employers to communicate and empathize with their experiences. Building Connections: Overcoming Barriers Hannah underscores that connection is where "magic happens." She offers strategies for employers to bridge the gap by understanding generational differences and fostering an environment of mutual respect. By appreciating the technological comforts that Gen Z is accustomed to, such as remote communication tools, employers can better engage this generation's talents. Strategies for Effective Communication Hannah provides practical advice on how to address the challenges of incorporating Gen Z employees into traditional work settings. She encourages managers to have open dialogues, sharing the value of in-person collaboration while being receptive to Gen Z's preferences. The key is a combined approach that appeals to both parties' realities, fostering a more cohesive workplace. Dealing with Authority and Constructive Feedback A crucial aspect Hannah discusses is the relationship between authority and Gen Z. With a wall built from experiences with influencers and authority figures, Gen Z may approach authority differently. Hannah highlights the importance of constructive feedback delivered through a lens of empathy, understanding, and patience, encouraging managers to engage in active listening. Empowering Young Job Seekers For young job seekers, especially those from Gen Z, Hannah offers guidance on navigating the job market. She recommends leveraging platforms like LinkedIn to build professional networks and skills. Her advice focuses on being comfortable in uncomfortable situations and recognizing one's value as a candidate. With resources available through her organization, she provides young individuals with the tools to succeed. Bringing Levity to Job Hunting Hannah advocates for a balanced approach to job hunting, reminding candidates that finding the right job is as challenging as employers finding the right employee. By maintaining confidence and treating job hunting like a mutual selection process, young job seekers can approach the task with less stress and anxiety. Conclusion and Future Endeavors As the podcast concluded, Hannah excitedly shared news of her upcoming book series, Wonder Workshop, aimed at inspiring young minds about future careers. Her continued work aims to motivate both employers and employees to embrace open communication, understanding, and growth. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Path to Personal and Organizational Transformation With Malti Bhojwani	11 Nov 2024	00:40:32
Send us a text In a world where the only constant is change, navigating personal and organizational transformation is a skill that requires resilience and adaptability. This theme resonated throughout an insightful conversation between Dr. Heather Walker and Malti Bhojwani on the "Lead with Levity" podcast. Their dialogue highlighted the challenges and triumphs of embracing change, and how personal growth and organizational success are intricately linked. The Power of Personal Transformation One of the key takeaways from this conversation is the profound impact personal transformation can have on our lives and those around us. Malti Bhojwani, a senior advisor for McKinsey's Abercan Change Leadership Partners and an accomplished author, shared her journey of self-discovery that began 20 years ago. Her early life was characterized by linear expectations—education, marriage, and a family—until life threw unexpected challenges her way. Malti had a pivotal "moment of truth" at age 26 when she found herself divorced, penniless, and overwhelmed by life's uncertainties. It was then that she realized the importance of taking responsibility for her life and choices, leading her to a transformative acceptance that she could indeed create a different future. Organizations Transform Because People Do Malti emphasized that organizations do not transform on their own—it is the people within them who drive change. This philosophy underscores the importance of leadership involvement in ensuring a successful transformation journey. The conversation shed light on a common pitfall in organizations: a lack of persistent leadership engagement throughout change initiatives. Leaders are encouraged to tell compelling stories that resonate with their teams' values, ensuring that every member understands their role in the larger narrative. Communication: The Heart of Change A crucial element in facilitating change is effective communication. Malti highlighted the need for leaders to remain actively involved, share a compelling narrative, and consistently communicate their vision in varied formats. It's about creating an environment where everyone feels connected to the organizational story, much like the inspiring story of a NASA janitor who saw his work as integral to sending people to the moon. Finding Joy in Everyday Life Malti also shared personal stories, including dealing with the passing of her father and the challenges of midlife, which inspired her book "Mastering Your Life." This book celebrates the realization that life is meant to be enjoyed, not just endured. She encouraged embracing joy, music, scents, food, and the people around us. Her message was clear: life is about the journey and the joy found in everyday moments. Conclusion The insightful conversation between Dr. Heather Walker and Malti Bhojwani served as a powerful reminder of our capacity for personal and organizational transformation. By embracing change, communicating effectively, and finding joy in the journey, we can navigate life's challenges and create meaningful change for ourselves and the organizations we lead. For those seeking to delve deeper into Malti's teachings, her book "Mastering Your Life" is available on Audible and Amazon, offering further guidance on embracing joy and mastering one's path. This conversation encourages us all to find our own positive potatoes and rocks—symbols and reminders of the joy and levity that can guide us through life's inevitable changes. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	The Magic of Facilitation: Unveiling the Art and Science with Dr. Myriam Hadnes	08 Jul 2024	00:43:01
Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Heather Walker delves into the fascinating world of facilitation with Dr. Myriam Hadnes—a behavioral economist and self-proclaimed facilitation evangelist. This conversation uncovers the essence of facilitation, its impact in various environments, and practical strategies to enhance group interactions. If you're a leader, project manager, or simply someone interested in understanding the dynamics of group facilitation, read on as we pull back the curtain on this 'Wizard of Oz’ of workplace skills. The Core Skills of Facilitation Facilitation requires a strategic blend of skills: - Sensitivity to group dynamics - Communication proficiency - Idea synthesis - Behavioral observation and response Dr. Walker shares her own experiences with facilitation, debunking the myth that effective facilitation is a natural-born talent. Instead, she emphasizes that it is a skill honed through practice and critical reflection. Facilitation in the Workplace Facilitation is not limited to designated roles; it’s a daily practice for many, even without their realizing it. From team leaders fostering collaborative atmospheres to project managers synchronizing team efforts, facilitation is integral. Dr. Hadnes explains that facilitation skills overlap significantly with leadership skills, like asking insightful questions, active listening, and encouraging participation from quieter team members. Creating Psychological Safety A key takeaway from the discussion is the importance of psychological safety in facilitation. Originating from Amy Edmondson's research, psychological safety is shown to distinguish high-performing teams from mediocre ones. Facilitators must cultivate environments where team members feel safe to share, question, and challenge without fear of retribution. This safety promotes authenticity, vulnerability, and ultimately, better communication and collaboration. The Journey to Becoming a Facilitator Dr. Hadnes’s personal journey into facilitation was indirect—the realization of her facilitative role came much later. Her background in academia and her experiences with organizational change positioned her uniquely to embrace and advocate for facilitation. Her story resonates with many who find themselves facilitating without initially identifying as a facilitator. Case Study: Transforming Sarah's Leadership A case study in facilitation involves Sarah, a manager in a manufacturing plant who struggles with workplace dynamics. Dr. Hadnes advises beginning with empathy, emphasizing the importance of sharing burdens and encouraging team ownership. Effective meeting management and fostering open communication are key strategies to transforming Sarah’s leadership style. Conclusion Facilitation is a powerful tool in fostering effective communication, collaboration, and psychological safety within teams. Dr. Myriam Hadnes’s insights provide a valuable blueprint for anyone looking to enhance their facilitation skills, whether in the workplace, academic settings, or personal gatherings. As we embrace the nuanced art and science of facilitation, we open doors to more meaningful, productive, and enjoyable interactions. For those interested in diving deeper into facilitation, Dr. Hadnes’s community “Never Done Before” offers a platform to explore and experiment with facilitation techniques. Her collective book project, "A Simple Guide on How to Save the World through Facilitation," promises further insights into Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Kindness is a Choice	01 Feb 2021	00:34:03
Send us a text Get prepared for the kindness revolution!What does it look like? Being present for others. Connecting with others in an authentic way. Taking the mask off. Doing no harm. I had a fascinating conversation with Cool Audrey founder, Cole Baker Bagwell. She helps organizations build connections by focusing on kindness and the principle of "do no harm." About Our Guest: Cole Baker Bagwell"I'm a full on kindness nerd. I research it, write about it, talk about it, and seek it out in unexpected places. I live it, share it and look for ways we can put kindness into motion to make the big world we share- even better. As the Founder of Cool Audrey®, I consult with companies on kindness. I teach them how put kindness to work as a core business competency that runs through every fiber of the organization. Kindness is essential because it makes us happier and healthier. Kindness helps us foster trust and that helps us collaborate and work together to innovate and create business outcomes like productivity, stability and growth." About the PodcastThe Lead with Levity podcast is a show for leaders who care deeply about what makes/breaks the employee experience. Our guests are dynamic researchers, practitioners, consultants, and business leaders. We cover foundational elements that are needed to avoid forcing the fun. We also invite lively managers who lead with levity to show us how it’s done. Thanks for joining us on this journey. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	When Passion Meets Purpose: Is There Still Room for Levity?	18 Jan 2021	00:29:50
Send us a text Have you taken the time to consider how to get the most out of the things that bring you joy? Ryan Greene is a passionpreneur on a mission to help others get paid for their passions. Ryan Greene is an entrepreneur, author coach, bestselling author, and professional speaker. He is the Founder of GreeneHouse Media LLC, a media company whose goal is to provide “Media With A Purpose” via radio, television, film, and books. In this episode, we cover: How Ryan went from "I don't read for fun" to writing multiple books and starting his own publishing company Debunking common myths about authorship How to use passion to get buy-in from others and bring out the best in your team when you know what they're passionate about Why it's so important to take the time to transfer what you know into book form What it means to be a passionpreneur How to shed the stigma of answering the question "What do you do?" when following your passion How to avoid being seen as rough around the edges when you're really just passionate About Our Guest: Ryan GreeneRyan C. Greene is an entrepreneur, author coach, bestselling author, and professional speaker. He is the Founder of GreeneHouse Media LLC, a media company whose goal is to provide “Media With A Purpose” via radio, television, film, and books. Ryan is the author of ten books, hosts and executive produces several podcasts and web shows, and founded Indie Author PRO, an author development company specializing in teaching authors how to monetize their content, automate their business and become top-revenue authors. RyanGreene.com Instagram Facebook LinkedIn YouTube About the PodcastThe Lead with Levity podcast is a show for leaders who care deeply about what makes/breaks the employee experience. Our guests are dynamic researchers, practitioners, consultants, and business leaders. We cover foundational elements that are needed to avoid forcing the fun. We also invite lively managers who lead with levity to show us how it’s done. Thanks for joining us on this journey. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	How to Reinvent Yourself in 2021 (Growth Mindset)	04 Jan 2021	00:34:47
Send us a text Happy New Year! Today's guest, Ira Wolfe, is going to talk to us a little bit about pivoting in life, and we're going to have such a wonderful conversation. I'm looking forward to it. Ira Wolfe is a TedX speaker and the host of Geeks, Geezers, and Googlization. Find out what happened when this successful six-figure dentist walked away from his practice to live the entrepreneur life. As a self-proclaimed millennial in a baby boomer’s body, Ira shares lessons and business experiences. In this episode, we cover: How Ira finds top performers Ira’s creative marketing tips to get people’s attention Ira’s take on the use of AI chats to replace pre-employment testing as we know it How to find the courage to walk away from a career that doesn’t make you happy How to use growth mindset principles to free yourself to try new things The reality of prepping for a TedTalk About Ira WolfeDescribed as a “Millennial trapped in a Baby Boomer body, the World’s 1st Chief Googlization Officer, a “hire authority,” and “certified prophet” of workforce trends, Ira S. Wolfe has emerged as one of HR’s most visionary thinkers. Ira personifies the passion and mindset required to manage the convergence of the tired, the wired, and technology. His enthusiasm and engaging approach inspires his audience to challenge preconceptions about what it takes to attract, select, manage, and retain top talent and take the initiative to make change for them. About the PodcastThe Lead with Levity podcast is a show for leaders who care deeply about what makes/breaks the employee experience. Our guests are dynamic researchers, practitioners, consultants, and business leaders. We cover foundational elements that are needed to avoid forcing the fun. We also invite lively managers who lead with levity to show us how it’s done. Thanks for joining us on this journey. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	An Interview with the Original Levity Enthusiast	21 Dec 2020	00:31:23
Send us a text I don't know a better way to end this year's lineup than interviewing someone who is a self-proclaimed levity evangelist. This should be good! Today's guest is Philip Argy, CEO of Argy Star, and a member of the Law Council of Australia. That's right. We're going to talk about levity in law, and I want to know if lawyers are allowed to practice levity. In this episode, we cover: What’s the climate in Australia right now? What you can do to get prickly people to lighten up? How Argy practices levity in the courtroom Silly Zoom moments How Argy uses levity to maintain his own vitality and positive spirit An insider's perspective--Are lawyers allowed to have fun at work? What does that look like? About Argy StarOur focus is always on salvaging and delivering as much as possible of the original business case when the day to day participants in your implementation team have long since forgotten what they were. More usually, we intercept at their incipient stage any developments that could move your project off course in time or budget terms and nip them in the bud, thus saving you time money and minimising the risk that your business case will be delivered late or not at all. These are the basics of the ADRoIT Principles.Website: https://argystar.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/philipargyEmail: pargy@argystar.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/philipargy About the PodcastThe Lead with Levity podcast is a show for leaders who care deeply about what makes/breaks the employee experience. Our guests are dynamic researchers, practitioners, consultants, and business leaders. We cover foundational elements that are needed to avoid forcing the fun. We also invite lively managers who lead with levity to show us how it’s done. Thanks for joining us on this journey. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Is it Burnout or a Breakthrough? Keys to Increasing Your Resilience	07 Dec 2020	00:30:35
Send us a text Join me in this fantastic interview with Eileen McDargh, a best selling author and speaker on the topic of burnout and resilience. Eileen gets real and shares exactly why we need balance, levity, and love in our lives. You'll love this upbeat conversation and healthy dose of career advice. About Eileen McDarghEileen McDargh is the Chief Energy Officer (CEO) of The Resiliency Group. Eileen McDargh started her career as an award-winning teacher and to this day loves telling stories while educating audiences as a professional speaker, coach and consultant. Eileen is the founder and CEO of the consulting firm, The Resiliency Group. She teaches organizations like Cisco, Novartis, Oracle, and Procter & Gamble ways of building resilient leadership teams and workplaces. Along with her work as an organizational resiliency consultant, Eileen speaks and writes about resiliency. https://www.EileenMcDargh.com Burnout to Breakthrough: Building Resilience to Refuel, Recharge, and Reclaim What Matters Facebook Twitter LinkedIn About the PodcastThe Lead with Levity podcast is a show for leaders who care deeply about what makes/breaks the employee experience. Our guests are dynamic researchers, practitioners, consultants, and business leaders. We cover foundational elements that are needed to avoid forcing the fun. We also invite lively managers who lead with levity to show us how it’s done. Thanks for joining us on this journey. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Finding Meaning at Work: How to Manifest Your Way to Deeper Connections	23 Nov 2020	00:28:46
Send us a text "Creating a happy healthy workplace is not rocket science." ~Briana Hawkins Today's guest is Briana Hawkins. She's young, ambitious, and full of great ideas for bringing the fun back to your function. She is to lead the Happy Crew at Zoom and now graces the finance tech startup Built Technologies with her expertise. In this episode, we cover: How Briana shaped manifested her way through her career Teambuilding activities for you to try from her experiences with Built Technologies and the Zoom Happy Crew Briana's perspective on how to get more out of each situation Meet Guest: Briana Hawkins"I am a strategic leader with a proven track record in resolving organizational and human capital challenges within startups. An employee engagement subject-matter-expert with proven success in building culture, securing leadership buy-in, strategic planning, and talent operations. I am able to manage multiple projects while collaborating with diverse groups to achieve goals.. I believe that where there is happiness, there is productivity and efficiency." About the PodcastThe Lead with Levity podcast is a show for leaders who care deeply about what makes/breaks the employee experience. Our guests are dynamic researchers, practitioners, consultants, and business leaders. We cover foundational elements that are needed to avoid forcing the fun. We also invite lively managers who lead with levity to show us how it’s done. Thanks for joining us on this journey. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Onboarding That Doesn't Suck	09 Nov 2020	00:31:42
Send us a text Starting a new job is exciting and a little bit of a leap of faith this year for new employees. They aren't able to walk through the building and get a sense of the people, work environment, and culture in the same way. They sort of have to go on faith that the culture is as advertised. If your company went remote this year, then you've been scrambling to reimagine onboarding.So that's what we're going to talk about today. What can we do to jazz up remote onboarding? Does it need more seasoning, onions, a little cheese? I had the pleasure of chatting about this (sans seasoning, onions, and cheese) with David Secunda of WorkBright. WorkBright is an HR tech startup that helps companies move traditional employee onboarding to 100% remote. In this episode, we cover: How to make onboarding more exciting and engaging How to help new employees build personal connections How to handle that pesky I9 requirement (a pandemic pro-tip) Guest: David SecundaDavid Secunda is the Founder and CEO of WorkBright, an HR tech startup that moves traditional employee onboarding to a 100% remote process that workers complete before they arrive. He has led numerous organizations including Avid4 Adventure (Founder & Chairman, outdoor adventure camps), PlanetOutdoors (Founder & CEO, online outdoor retailer), and the Outdoor Industry Association (President). He also worked as an Entrepreneur in Residence at Mobius Venture Capital and Sequel Venture Partners. He is an active mentor in the business community at Techstars, MergeLane and the CU Leeds School of Business, and has served on the boards of Entrepreneur’s Organization Colorado, RMC Health, The SCA, and was a founding board member of Leave No Trace. Additionally, he was the Governor appointed Chairman of the Colorado Department of Human Services Licensing Advisory Committee. About the PodcastThe Lead with Levity podcast is a show for leaders who care deeply about what makes/breaks the employee experience. Our guests are dynamic researchers, practitioners, consultants, and business leaders. We cover foundational elements that are needed to avoid forcing the fun. We also invite lively managers who lead with levity to show us how it’s done. Thanks for joining us on this journey. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Bringing Comedy to Sales: A NetSuite Nomad's Journey	26 Oct 2020	00:32:59
Send us a text Have you ever wondered what it would be like to get paid to travel the world, deliver stand-up comedy, become an angel investor, and drive sales for a large international organization? Well today's guest is going to show us how it's done. Kelli Lampkin has worn many hats in her time, and today she'll join us to chat about how her experiences have made her and her team better salespeople. In this episode, we cover: What it was like to live as a NetSuite digital nomad, including her time in Transylvania How Kelli incorporates stand-up comedy and sales How she used a bit of levity to encourage sales at NetSuite How she makes cloud ERP fun Guest: Kelli LampkinKelli is an angel investor, entrepreneur, writer, traveler, comedienne, DJ, tech enthusiast. Her passion is working with tech entrepreneurs that are disrupting their industries to help them leverage enterprise business software so they can focus on their passions. About the PodcastThe Lead with Levity podcast is a show for leaders who care deeply about what makes/breaks the employee experience. Our guests are dynamic researchers, practitioners, consultants, and business leaders. We cover foundational elements that are needed to avoid forcing the fun. We also invite lively managers who lead with levity to show us how it’s done. Thanks for joining us on this journey. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Help! My Recruitment Tools are Screening Out Qualified Candidates!	12 Oct 2020	00:42:26
Send us a text Managers: Is it possible that your recruitment tools are screening out qualified candidates? Job seekers: Is it possible that you aren’t getting the job you want because you haven’t optimized your resume? You are in for such a treat today, if you've ever been on the job hunt, and you've kind of been curious about how things work in the background, that's what we're going to talk about today. My guest, Kyana Beckles, is the CEO and founder of Leverage Assessments. It's a company out in New York City, where they administer and help organizations with employee selection tests, assessments, all that jazz…making sure that companies are able to find good people for their positions. And one thing that she's going to help us with today is sort of unraveling and packaging, opening up the hood, checking out what happens after you submit a resume. Does it go straight to the hiring manager? Are they combing through all of the materials? Looking at every single word? Spoiler alert--they are not. Many large organizations use software, and different application tools to help them weed through resumes, and applications. They're looking for keywords. They're looking for specific tags and criteria that they've set up in advance. If you're not savvy to those things, you could be missing out on a really great job opportunity. Likewise, on the flip side of that…if you are a manager and you aren't savvy to that, and you're not necessarily thinking about how that is impacting your talent pool, then this show is for you as well. Kyana and I are going to talk about everything from how to hire for the kind of culture that you want to the role of levity at work and creating a team that is high performing. We had such a great time talking that at some point, I forgot to hit record. I'm gonna drop you into the middle of our conversation. I think it'll be illuminating for you. And I hope that you enjoy it. Learn how data analytics factor into the hiring process and what you can do to support a diverse talent pool. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	How to Work from Home with Kids (A Team Building Activity for You and Your Kid Coworkers)	28 Sep 2020	00:31:15
Send us a text Do you have a kid coworker? Kid coworkers are not the same as your coworkers at the office. They eat up all your food. They don't respect your meeting schedules, and they take a cut out of every paycheck that you make. It's just not the same. If one of your coworkers in the office did that… you'd file a complaint with HR. This episode is dedicated to parents and adults who are trying to get work done around littles, kids, and teens. How can you create a fun work from home environment with kids? Today we'll explore a team building activity that's based on our guest, Dr. Beth Brown's F.U.N. model. Resources Mentioned Team Aureus YouTube Channel LinkedIn Facebook Instagram About Dr. BethDr. Beth is a sports psychologist and CEO of Team Aureus®. It's a consulting agency that's dedicated to empowering individuals and teams to perform at their highest levels in sports business, and life.She co-founded Super Power Golf. It's a business dedicated to helping women transform their lives on and off the golf course. And she also has a passion for youth, which I really appreciate.Dr. Beth also serves on the We Are Golf Women's Task Force managed by the World Golf Foundation. And she recently launched the Champions Mindset Leadership Series. I'm looking forward to this conversation today because we're going to diverge a little bit from adulthood to talking about what is it like to work with your child coworkers, and what can we do to ensure that we are creating fun workplaces, even when we're at home? About the PodcastThe Lead with Levity podcast is a show for leaders who care deeply about what makes/breaks the employee experience. Our guests are dynamic researchers, practitioners, consultants, and business leaders. We cover foundational elements that are needed to avoid forcing the fun. We also invite lively managers who lead with levity to show us how it's done. Thanks for joining us on this journey. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Navigating Emotional Intelligence and Hardiness with Dr. Steven Stein	24 Jun 2024	00:47:24
Send us a text Welcome to the "Lead with Levity" podcast, where your host Dr. Heather Walker delves into conversations that equip you with the tools to improve your emotional intelligence (EQ) and navigate the complexities of leadership. In this episode, Dr. Walker is joined by Dr. Steven Stein, a world-renowned clinical psychologist and international best-selling author known for his pioneering work on emotional intelligence and hardiness. In this insightful discussion, Dr. Walker and Dr. Stein explore the nuances of EQ, the importance of hardiness in overcoming adversity, and practical strategies for enhancing your interpersonal skills. Understanding Emotional Intelligence Emotional intelligence has gained significant attention over the years as an essential skill for both personal and professional success. Dr. Stein describes EQ as encompassing five core areas: 1. Self-Perception: Understanding both your micro (current emotions) and macro (overall life satisfaction) emotional states. 2. Self-Expression: Transparently communicating your thoughts and feelings, especially important for leaders. 3. Interpersonal Skills: Building and maintaining relationships, which in turn helps leaders inspire and get the best out of their teams. 4. Decision-Making: Leveraging intuition and emotion to make effective decisions. 5. Stress Management: Successfully managing stress and maintaining composure in challenging situations. Building Emotional Intelligence Developing emotional intelligence is a continuous process. Dr. Stein highlights that while some individuals might naturally possess high EQ, these skills can indeed be cultivated. For instance, empathy is one core area that can be developed through active listening and genuine curiosity about others' perspectives. Applying EQ and Hardiness in the Workplace Dr. Walker presents a real-world scenario that many HR professionals encounter—a manager named Chewy who uses religious beliefs to resist inclusive leadership principles. Dr. Stein offers actionable advice on how to address such sensitive issues empathetically without compromising on the core values of inclusive leadership. Dr. Stein emphasizes the importance of understanding and acknowledging diverse perspectives while not necessarily subscribing to them. Dr. Stein’s Unexpected Passions Beyond his professional pursuits, Dr. Stein lets listeners in on his personal passion for music. As a musician performing with a jazz-rock band, Dr. Stein finds joy and a sense of community in the arts. This passion for music serves as a reminder of the importance of integrating fun and levity into our lives, a concept that resonates deeply with the ethos of the “Lead with Levity” podcast. Looking Ahead In closing, Dr. Stein shares his future aspirations, which include ongoing research into emotional intelligence and continually refining tools for better assessing and developing these competencies. His dedication to both his work and his hobbies exemplifies the continuous journey of self-actualization and learning. Conclusion Dr. Steven Stein’s conversation with Dr. Heather Walker is a deep dive into the essential skills of emotional intelligence and hardiness. From practical strategies for improving EQ to understanding the powerful role of self-awareness and empathy, this episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to excel in leadership and personal growth. For more about Dr. Stein's work, visit stevenstein.com or mhs.com. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	How to Listen: A WISER Way to Lead	14 Sep 2020	00:39:23
Send us a text Welcome to the Lead with Levity podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Heather Walker, and I'm so excited to share today's guest with you--Kyle Gillette. Kyle is the owner of Gillette Solutions and the host of the Sage Mindset podcast. Kyle is based in Washington, and he helps small business owners lead their businesses and people with less stress and more freedom. He helps everyone get on the bus and moving in the same direction. And that's exactly what we need today. I'm looking forward to talking to him about what he's seeing at the leadership level and any recommendations that he has for leaders today. In this episode, we cover: Leaders need to de-stress How leaders can empower themselves and their teams How leaders can help others express their 'best selves' How to get the most from your next one-on-one meeting How to help someone on your team who has a negative outlook Kyle's WISER listening model Resources Mentioned Gillette Solutions Sage Mindset Podcast LinkedIn About Gillette SolutionsAll people have the ability to thrive in their personal and professional lives - to obtain freedom and independence we strive to achieve. The key is learning your passions and the individual talents you possess. As these become clear, focus improves and success follows. We all have a sense of where our passions lie, though there can be ambiguity as to what drives us. We generally know our skills, strengths, and talents, though we can be unclear on how to use those abilities to realize our passions. At Gillette Solutions, we help small business owners, solopreneurs, and business professionals develop new perspectives, thought patterns, and habits to overcome fear, doubt, and improve self-confidence.I help you take control of your time, talent, and build a roadmap to increase your bottom-line. We do this through courses, behavioral analysis, and (my favorite) coaching! About the PodcastThe Lead with Levity podcast is a show for leaders who care deeply about what makes/breaks the employee experience. Our guests are dynamic researchers, practitioners, consultants, and business leaders. We cover foundational elements that are needed to avoid forcing the fun. We also invite lively managers who lead with levity to show us how it's done. Thanks for joining us on this journey. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Getting Naked at Work: A Levity Mishap?	31 Aug 2020	00:37:24
Send us a text When everything feels so so heavy, and you’re starting to wonder if you should lead with levity, remember that the alternative may lead you down a dark and lonely road. I asked our guest today to share her thoughts on fearless authenticity and walking in purpose even when all the signs point to failure. Welcome to the Lead with Levity podcast. We work to equip leaders to build unique and refreshing work environments that are marked by fun, team unity, and healthy communication. Today's guest is Danessa Knaupp. Danessa is an executive coach on a mission is to get really great leaders embedded everywhere because we all benefit from that. She’s also the author of Naked at Work: A Leader’s Guide to Fearless Authenticity. In this episode, we cover: How Danessa picked herself up after an embarrassing event How you find the lighter side of any bad experience A model for authenticity, not #authenticity Authenticity misfires Resources Mentioned [BOOK] Naked at Work: A Leader’s Guide to Fearless Authenticity DanessaKnaupp.com Avenue8Advisors.com LinkedIn Quote This - Danessa Knaupp Quotes: “I began to think about, ‘where have I been really connected with leaders?’ and it was when I believed they were human.” “A lot of us walk around with an idea of a leader that is far too narrow. Leaders come in all shapes and sizes, they can be effective a million different ways.” “If you think about some of the things you believe about yourself. The person who wrote that story is 5, 7, 9 years old. I don't know about you, but I have not consulted with seven year olds on a regular basis on how to make decisions, except that I am. Because the interesting parts of myself that tell me those things are [from a] seven [year old].” “We are all total and absolute works in progress, and we pick up and put down any baggage or experience we want at any point in this journey.” “Authenticity builds trust. Trust creates safety, and safety at work is magical.” “Sometimes, people think when I talk about being intentional and strategic that somehow that's not authentic. But think about how you are authentic with your grandmother, with your lover, with your best friend, and with your child. Those are all authentic versions of yourself. Those are all really true to you. And yet the whispered conversation between you and your lover, as you fall asleep is never something you would tell your grandmother or your child.” My job here is to learn and evolve, and man that is not easy. Sometimes people think that when I say, "I'm a failure junkie," or, "I really embrace failure," that I've found some sort of way to make it less horr Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Is Your Branding Sticky Enough?	17 Aug 2020	00:33:31
Send us a text Welcome to the Lead with Levity podcast. Today's guest is Jeremy Miller. Jeremy is a brand strategist for Sticky Branding and a best selling author. Over the past decade, Jeremy and the Sticky Branding team profiled and interviewed hundreds of companies across dozens of industries to uncover how companies can grow extra sticky brands. I look forward to sharing his expertise about branding, messaging, and the importance of a name. In this episode, we cover: How Jeremy pivoted from a sales to marketing focus to save his family-owned business Jeremy's 3-step process for strategic naming How organizations big and small can use this strategic naming process to build momentum for projects, activate brand ambassadors, and get customers excited about the brand The #1 killer of creativity on teams One strategy that managers can use to get their teams to open up and bring new ideas About Today's GuestJeremy Miller is a brand strategist and bestselling author. Over the past decade, Jeremy and the Sticky Branding team have profiled and interviewed hundreds of companies across dozens of industries to uncover how companies grow Sticky Brands. Jeremy shares his expertise as a writer, consultant, and keynote speaker. His blend of humor, stories, and actionable ideas will inspire you to innovate and grow your business and brand. Resources Mentioned Website Book: Sticky Branding Book: Brand New Name LinkedIn Group Twitter Instagram Facebook About the PodcastThe Lead with Levity podcast is a show for leaders who care deeply about what makes/breaks the employee experience. Our guests are dynamic researchers, practitioners, consultants, and business leaders. We cover foundational elements that are needed to avoid forcing the fun. We also invite lively managers who lead with levity to show us how it's done. Thanks for joining us on this journey. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Nobody's Listening and It's Your Fault: Change Management Advice for Leaders	03 Aug 2020	00:24:15
Send us a text I've supported several change management initiatives over the years, and there are 3 things that stick out to me as consistent leadership failures: Not communicating throughout Waiting too long to celebrate Launching too many initiatives around the same time (i.e., doing too much) Your people are going through a lot right now. Now is the time for thoughtful change management. For those of you who don't know, change management is a process to help people understand, buy into, and adopt planned changes. It includes addressing readiness, managing resistance, and creating plans to support communication, reinforcement, and skill development. Companies often forego the people side of change and focus mainly on the technical sides of project management and quality management instead. The problem though is that people need to change and they are the hardest part of the equation to change so we really do need to put more intentionality and resources there. So guess what, today I'm chatting with a change management consultant to the Fortune 50, Pam Marmon. In this episode, we cover: How change initiatives affect employees and what leaders can do to support their teams Pam's L.E.S.S. model of change management Top change management challenges that businesses face today Are traditional change management models appropriate for today's challenges? How does levity factor into change management? About Today's GuestPam Marmon is a change management leader and CEO of Marmon Consulting. She is Prosci certified change management expert and Cornell University certified organizational designer with 15 years of experience and proven success record in implementing organizational initiatives and culture transformations. Resources Mentioned Pam's LinkedIn Page Marmon Consulting [BOOK] No One's Listening and It's Your Fault: Get Your Message Heard During Organizational Transformations About the PodcastThe Lead with Levity podcast is a show for leaders who care deeply about what makes/breaks the employee experience. Our guests are dynamic researchers, practitioners, consultants, and business leaders. We cover foundational elements that are needed to avoid forcing the fun. We also invite lively managers who lead with levity to show us how it's done. Thanks for joining us on this journey. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Let's Talk About the Future of Business	20 Jul 2020	00:46:41
Send us a text Would you rather know exactly what will happen 6 months from now or have the wisdom needed to navigate whatever happens 6 months from now? Join me in this fantastic interview with James Bidwell, the Chairman and Founder of Springwise. James is also the Co-Founder of Re_set. Springwise is an innovation platform that promotes creativity and innovation across the globe. Re_set is a disruption, innovation, and sustainability consulting firm in the UK. In this episode, we cover: James’ view on the future of work How Springwise elevates creatives by sharing their innovations with the world An even bigger crisis that is on the horizon (bigger than the pandemic) Examples of innovations in different industries A ton of FREE RESOURCES! Quotes "What is really encouraging is the capacity of the human brain to start to figure it out and not give up and to go forward and create new solutions." ~ James Bidwell "One thing that I find really interesting about innovation is that it starts small, and it can feel like it's creeping up on you... like [with] Blockbuster...these other companies just sort of snuck up on them. But, they didn't. They were working diligently behind the scenes." ~ Heather Walker, Ph.D. About Today’s GuestJames currently serves as Chair at Springwise, Co-Founder at Innovation and Transformation Consultancy Re_Set and NED at fast growing, Berlin based Invincible Brands. James is the Author of bestseller “Disrupt! 100 Lessons in Business Innovation” published by Hodder and Stoughton 2017 Sitting at the nexus of global change James brings deep experience and insight into digital, brand and innovation across all organizational disciplines at a time of unprecedented uncertainty and opportunity. At Springwise, James is immersed in the global innovation community with deep insight into the newest and most transformative new businesses and innovations from every corner of the world. Springwise is a “must read’ for global CEOs, innovators, investors, educators and corporates from all sectors. James advises many businesses and several government organisations. He is a visiting lecturer at the University of Bristol and Cambridge Judge Business School, participant in the London Business School Innovation and Entrepreneurship programme, committee member and judge at the World Retail Congress and mentor at Red Bull Amaphiko Academy. Career highlights include the launch of Disneyland Paris, the turnaround of Selfridges as Marketing Director, leading the renaissance of London tourism as CEO Visit London, launch CEO of Anthropologie Europe. Resources Mentioned Springwise Global Source for Innovation Re_Set Boutique Consultancy for Disruption, Innovation, and Sustainability Somerset House London’s working arts centre [CELL PHONE APP] The Innovation App [BOOK] Disrupt!: 100 Lessons in Business Innovation Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Spreading Happiness from Grand Cayman to the Hill Country of Texas (and everywhere in between)	06 Jul 2020	00:38:08
Send us a text If you want to know how to build a fun family culture then you’re in the right place. Today, we discuss the benefits of adopting and leading by values. I’m happy to say that I recently discovered that there are people out there in the world (not the multiverse, but here in our dimension) with the job title of ‘Chief Happiness Officer’ and ‘Director of Happiness’. I found one! Today, I get to share a conversation with Kylie Rae Fitzgibbons, Director of Happiness and General Manager at JL Bar Ranch in Sonora, Texas. Kyle has traveled all over the world and picked up experiences that have all led to her passion to have fun and get work done. In this episode, we cover: How a small town in Texas wooed her away from Grand Cayman. What it’s like to work in a family-owned business. How they build shared values How they approach confrontations or “collisions” within the team Kylie’s experiences on the Grand Cayman islands and how that fed her perspective on hospitality The “Cayman kind” approach taught her that “people taking care of people” is more than just a concept, it’s about creating a family feel. Try this icebreaker from Kylie that’s guaranteed to improve the mood within a group: (32:18) The Smile Game: One quick and easy way to bring joy to a meeting or change the energy in a group. A simple 30 second activity that you can do at the beginning of a meeting, with friends. Instead of sitting, you stand in a circle, make eye contact. Say: “I’m going to start” and smile at someone and make eye contact, and then that person turns to the left and smiles at their neighbor. Then do a few rounds and try to get faster. Kylie’s leadership philosophy and maintenance tips: Energy is contagious. Own your own energy. Recognize that “everyone is influenceable and everyone is an influencer even if you don’t have a billion followers on Instagram” Make sure that people are better after they meet you than when they first saw you Activities that help team spirit and one-ness Team photo and celebration Team prayer End of the day reflection and review of a value-based story or moment Celebrate national pizza party day - “food is fuel” Keep the team loved and well fed and listened to Quotes “As the leader of a team, it is important that I come with an enthusiastic energy and a positive ‘can do’ spirit with that attitude and showing resilience. That concept of having fun, it’s how I show up to be able to impact others.” - Quote by Kylie Rae “Everyone is influenceable and everyone is an influencer even if you don’t have a bazillion followers on Instagram” - Quote by Kylie Rae “The learning of service is a different perspective to consider. Everyone is in a service industry, whether you're a mom with a young child. Whether you’re serving your neighbor when they need sugar...or if you’re in hospitality serving a customer.” - Quote by Kylie Rae “You don’t have to be well connected. You don’t have to be the loudest person in the room to have an impact on that room.” - Quote by Dr. Walker “Your energy is so very contagious.” Quote by Dr. Walker About Today’s GuestKylie Rae Fitzgibbons is a luxury hospitality executive leader who brings Service with a Smile workshops to other professionals with a focus on positive mindset and culture of kindness in the workpla Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	From Startup to Customer Service Powerhouse: A Chick-fil-A Story	22 Jun 2020	00:38:02
Send us a text Maintaining quality face-to-face service is getting harder and harder these days. Fortunately, many of the traditional principles still apply. Join us today for an interview with Dee Ann Turner. With more than 30 years of experience, including serving as Vice President, Talent and Human Resources for Chick-fil-A, Inc., Dee Ann has discovered the secret sauce of selecting and retaining extraordinary talent, while cultivating a remarkable organizational culture. In this episode, we cover how to: create company loyalty that leads to customer loyalty instill servant leadership within your organization support fun at work even if it’s natural for you respond to negative Glassdoor reviews what differentiates Chick-fil-A from other fast food chains About Today’s GuestDee Ann is a 33-year veteran of Chick-fil-A, Inc. Prior to retirement in 2018, she was Vice President, Talent and Vice President, Sustainability. The company’s first female officer, she was instrumental in building and growing Chick-fil-A’s well-known culture and talent systems. During her long career, she worked closely with Chick-fil-A’s founder, S. Truett Cathy, and other key leaders as an architect of their organizational culture. She was responsible for thousands of selections of Chick-fil-A Franchisees and corporate staff members. Additionally, she led Talent Management, Staff Learning and Development, Diversity and Inclusion, Culture and Engagement. Most recently, Dee Ann launched and led the Sustainability function focusing on Chick-fil-A’s strategy to implement sustainable practices at the $11 billion company. Today, she leads her own organization, Dee Ann Turner, LLC, writing books, speaking to over 50 audiences per year and consulting and coaching leaders globally. She is the author of the best seller, It’s My Pleasure: The Impact of Extraordinary Talent and a Compelling Culture. Her latest book will be released in September 2019. Resources Mentioned Website: https://www.deeannturner.com/ Book: Bet on Talent: How to Create a Remarkable Culture That Wins the Hearts of Customers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeeAnnTurnerAuthor Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeeAnnTurner LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deeannturner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deeannturner/ About the podcast: The Lead with Levity podcast is a show for leaders who care deeply about what makes/breaks the employee experience. Our guests are dynamic researchers, practitioners, consultants, and business leaders. We cover foundational elements that are needed to avoid forcing the fun. We also invite lively managers who lead with levity to show us how it's done. Thanks for joining us on this journey. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	4 Stages to the Psychologically Safe Workplace	08 Jun 2020	00:40:46
Send us a text “Psychological safety means you (1) feel included, (2) feel safe to learn, (3) feel safe to contribute, and (4) feel safe to challenge the status quo – all without fear of being embarrassed, marginalized, or punished in some way.” ~Leader Factor Are you ready to learn the 4 stages of a psychologically safe workplace? Safety is not a flat topic--there are layers to a person’s sense of safety. Psychological safety is also something we have to work to achieve and maintain. As leaders, we have the privilege and responsibility to create safe spaces. Today’s guest is Dr. Timothy Clark. Timothy R. Clark is founder and CEO of LeaderFactor, a consulting, coaching, and training organization. Dr. Clark is an international authority in the fields of psychological safety & innovation, large-scale change & transformation, and senior leadership development. He has personally coached over 100 CEOs and executives and trained many senior teams around the world. Some of his clients include Accenture, American Express, CIGNA, Columbia University, Disney, Dow Chemical, Eli Lilly, Environmental Protection Agency, HCA, Idaho National Laboratory, Honeywell, Intel, Internal Revenue Service, John Hopkins University, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Motorola, NASA, Riverbed Technology, Sprint, Stanford University, and the U.S. Department of Treasury. In this episode, we cover: How Dr. Clark became interested in psychological safety How psychological safety opens the door to other prosocial behaviors What leaders can do to help people feel more secure How to create safe spaces at work How to engage in levity safely How to grow your appreciation for differences About today’s guest: Timothy R. Clark is founder and CEO of LeaderFactor, a consulting, coaching, and training organization. Dr. Clark is an international authority in the fields of psychological safety & innovation, large-scale change & transformation, and senior leadership development. He has personally coached over 100 CEOs and executives and trained many senior teams around the world. Some of his clients include Accenture, American Express, CIGNA, Columbia University, Disney, Dow Chemical, Eli Lilly, Environmental Protection Agency, HCA, Idaho National Laboratory, Honeywell, Intel, Internal Revenue Service, John Hopkins University, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Motorola, NASA, Riverbed Technology, Sprint, Stanford University, and the U.S. Department of Treasury. Resources mentioned: Leader Factor Website The Four Stages of Psychological Safety About the podcast: The Lead with Levity podcast is a show for leaders who care deeply about what makes/breaks the employee experience. Our guests are dynamic researchers, practitioners, consultants, and business leaders. We cover foundational elements that are needed to avoid forcing the fun. We also invite lively managers who lead with levity to show us how it's done. Thanks for joining us on this journey. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Why Employees Need Storytelling and Marketing Too	25 May 2020	00:35:22
Send us a text What makes your company stand out in a new and interesting way? Today, we cover the art of storytelling. It’s not just for fairy tales or marketers. The stories we tell to our employees and customers can mean the difference between confusion and clarity. Give your tribe something compelling to connect to by making your message crystal clear. And, be consistent. Today's guest is Maria Ross. Maria is the head of Red Slice marketing firm where they teach clients how to tell unforgettable stories that make customers nod, laugh, and feel genuinely inspired to take action. Maria has gone through some life altering events that have taught her to let humor and empathy reign. I look forward to sharing her experiences with you today. In this episode, we cover: The art of storytelling and how it applies to business Why people aren’t getting on board with your messaging (a good one for content experts) Maria Ross’ philosophy on life, business, and authenticity How to apply storytelling within the organization How to create a “cultural articulation” - the importance of authentically living your brand from the inside out How to cultivate empathy and take another person’s point-of-view without getting defensive Stay curious. Curiosity is the #1 trait of empathetic people. What to do the next time someone asks you how you are feeling. About today's guest:Maria Ross is the founder of Red Slice, a consultancy that advises solopreneurs, startups, and fast-growth businesses on how to build an irresistible brand story and authentically connect with customers. She is a keynote speaker who regularly speaks to audiences on marketing and building a standout brand that engages the right customers and drives growth. She is the author of Branding Basics for Small Business and The Juicy Guide eBook Series for Entrepreneurs. Maria started her career as a management consultant with Accenture and went on to build marketing and brand strategies for multiple companies, including Discovery Communications, Monster.com, BusinessObjects (now SAP), and many other startups and technology leaders, before starting her own business. Maria understands the power of empathy at both a brand and personal level: in 2008, six months after launching her business, she suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm that almost killed her. Her humorous and heartfelt memoir about what is was like to survive this health crisis, Rebooting My Brain, has received worldwide praise. Maria has made numerous media appearances, including on MSNBC, ABCNews.com, and Forbes.com; in Entrepreneur magazine; and on hundreds of radio shows and popular podcasts such as Entrepreneur on Fire, The Shameless Mom Academy, and Suitcase Entrepreneur. She writes a contributor column for Entrepreneur.com and has written for Huffington Post, MarketingProfs.com, Seattle Business, Life by Me, Inspire Me Today, Columbus CEO, among others. Resources mentioned: Website: www.red-slice.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redslicemaria/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redslice/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariajross/ Email: maria@red-slice. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	To Meme or Not to Meme: Generational Differences in Digital Communication	11 May 2020	00:50:59
Send us a text We're kind of in an interesting time right now where people are having to redefine workplace communication. If you find yourself wondering what's appropriate, misinterpreting messages, or wondering how you can connect better with people you don't see anymore then this episode is for you. Today's guest is Dr. Mary Donohue. She studies communication patters within and between generations, and her focus is generational differences in digital communication. In this episode, we cover: What is digital psychology? How can we avoid communication breakdowns with others? How can we recover from communication errors? How can we optimize or rethink the way we communicate with others to support levity in the workplace? What are the generational differences in digital communication? About today's guest:Dr. Mary Donohue has an Ed.D in Leadership Education from Central Michigan University and is an avid cross-discipline researcher. In addition, she is world-renowned TEDX presenter, best-selling author, columnist and television personality. Her mentors include Paul Newman and Robert Kennedy, Jr., and many others. Dr. Mary has a passion for living and celebrating life and for a brief shining moment she will always fondly remember her time as a Supreme with Diana Ross. Resources mentioned: Mary's TedX Talk: How to get along with Boomers, GenXers and Millennials \| Mary Donohue \| TEDxToronto Message Received: 7 Steps to Break Down Communication Barriers at Work Donohue Learning About the podcast:The Lead with Levity podcast is a show for leaders who care deeply about what makes/breaks the employee experience. Our guests are dynamic researchers, practitioners, consultants, and business leaders. We cover foundational elements that are needed to avoid forcing the fun. We also invite lively managers who lead with levity to show us how it's done. Thanks for joining us on this journey. If you want to improve levity at your workplace, consider completing a Levity Audit. It's a new employee feedback survey that will show you exactly what you need to do to create an environment that your employees won't want to leave. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Healing Leadership: An Interview with Trauma-Informed Leadership Coach Kelly Campbell	10 Jun 2024	00:40:38
Send us a text In today’s post, we dive into an insightful conversation with Kelly Campbell, a trauma-informed leadership coach and author of “Heal to Lead: Revolutionizing Leadership Through Trauma Healing”. Understanding Trauma in the Workplace Dr. Heather Walker begins the episode by welcoming Kelly Campbell and highlighting the pervasive nature of stress in the workplace. She underscores the importance of understanding how trauma can be stored in the body and manifest in various ways, affecting individuals’ interactions at work. What it Means to be Trauma-Informed Kelly explains that trauma, derived from the Greek word meaning "wound," refers to experiences that overwhelm our nervous system’s ability to cope, causing these experiences to be stored in the body. She describes trauma in terms of “unintegrated information” – information and experiences that remain unresolved within us. The Role of a Trauma-Informed Leader A trauma-informed leader, as Kelly describes, is someone who has undergone training to understand trauma, its manifestations, and how to address it compassionately in the workplace. She differentiates between being trauma-aware, trauma-informed, and trauma-responsive, with her role focusing on the middle ground of being trauma-informed. Practical Steps for Leaders Dr. Walker and Kelly discuss practical steps for leaders dealing with challenging scenarios. For example, they explore how to handle a scenario involving a manager named David, whose behavior of interrupting colleagues and making hasty decisions has caused frustration among his team. Moving Towards Compassionate Leadership Kelly shares that becoming a trauma-informed leader involves self-awareness, compassion, and the willingness to engage in one’s own healing work. She draws from Buddhist psychology and other practices that emphasize understanding and compassion for both oneself and others. Integrating Levity into Leadership Given the heavy nature of trauma-related topics, Dr. Walker shifts the conversation towards incorporating levity and joy into daily routines. Kelly suggests several ways to integrate fun and lightness, such as dancing, walking barefoot in nature, or even jumping on a mini-trampoline. Looking Forward Kelly shares her excitement about upcoming engagements, including speaking at various conferences and doing book readings in plant shops – environments she finds particularly joyful and refreshing. For those interested in learning more about Kelly and her work, she directs them to her website, KLCampbell.com. Conclusion In this episode, Dr. Heather Walker and Kelly Campbell provided valuable insights into the importance of trauma-informed leadership and practical steps for fostering a supportive workplace. By integrating compassion, self-awareness, and even a bit of levity into leadership practices, leaders can create environments where team members feel heard, valued, and empowered to thrive. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Turn Problems into Possibilities: Spark Creativity to Find Winning Solutions	27 Apr 2020	00:36:00
Send us a text We're in a space where we have to figure out what we can do to solve new problems. We can't solve them with old solutions. We have to find something new. We have to get creative. The goal here today is for us to try and find new ways to spark creativity, and our guest is Kathryn Haydon. Kathryn is an innovation consultant, and she's also the founder of Sparkitivity. We chat about how you (and your team) can unleash your potential, how to think about problems in new ways and help others to do the same. We covered a lot of ground including: Kathryn’s story and how she got interested in creativity? Kathryn’s definition of creativity How Sparkitivity helps companies innovate Common misconceptions about creativity The biggest roadblocks to creativity Are children more creative than adults? What can stunt or shut down a person’s creativity The key to unlock or grow creativity How we can build a culture that supports this An exercise that you can try to help get the creative juices flowing Is creativity a skill? If so, how can we hone it? What to do if you think you aren't creative A creativity tool: The Innovator Strengths Workbook The inertia of no and rejection therapy About Today's GuestKathryn Haydon, M.Sc., is a keynote speaker, innovation consultant, and the co-author of Creativity for Everybody. She loves books and uses them as catalysts to inspire innovative thinking for educators and business leaders alike. As a child, Kathryn typed library information cards for all of her books on an old typewriter and alphabetized them on her bookshelves. Learn more about Kathryn Website: sparkitivity.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-haydon/ Book: The Non-Obvious Guide to Being More Creative No Matter Where You Work Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	How Bonjoro Leads with Levity	13 Apr 2020	00:34:27
Send us a text This is Lead with Levity Snuggie Edition, and I'm your host, Dr. Heather Walker. If you spent the last few weeks in your underpants, then you're in good company. This episode is for you. Today we spotlight a CEO who leads with levity, Mr. Papa Bear himself, Matt Barnett. Matt runs an up-and- coming customer engagement platform called Bonjoro. They have an unconventional culture that includes full body bear suits and family friendly activities. In this interview, we discuss: Matt's philosophy on work How Bonjoro got started How he gets professionals to wear bear suits Bonjoro's onboarding process Remote work in the land of Bonjoro Key takeaways include: Leaders should actively participate in the fun with their teams to show them that it's okay to have fun. We need to treat people as whole people--they have lives and a whole world going on outside of the workplace. I love that Matt has a Chief Delight Officer to monitor and facilitate customer delight and employee engagement. Always be on the lookout for people who you'd like to employ even if you aren't hiring currently. Nurture your talent pipeline. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	From Compliance to Connection: How Family Science Enhances Workplace Culture	30 Mar 2020	00:32:14
Send us a text Leaders have much to learn from functional family values. Today, we dive into how approaching the workplace as an extended family can enhance work relationships and the leader-follower connection. Today’s guest is “Dr. Dave” Schramm, an Assistant Professor and Family Life Extension Specialist at Utah State University in the department of Human Development and Family Studies. He appears monthly on Fox 13’s “The Place” and delivered multiple TedTalks, including “Family Fundamentals: The Secret Sauce to Booming Business. His reach extends internationally through his speaking engagements and interventions designed to promote happy and healthy relationships. He has a dedicated Facebook page (DrDaveUSU) where he shares research and tips on helping individuals, parents, and couples flourish. Dr. Dave also serves on the state of Utah’s Commission on Marriage. In this episode, we explore: What is a family life extension specialist? What do they do? What is family science? How does this relate to business? Recent TedTalk: What does it mean for an organization to adopt family values and family fundamentals? How Dr. Dave came to his conclusions after amazing analyzing Inc.com best workplace employee comments. What is family focused leadership? What are the 3 roles that a family-focused leader adopts? What is an employee flourish program and how does that compare to an employee assistance program? Who would you miss when you die? How can we make our workplaces special enough to make that list? Resources mentioned: www.drdavespeaks.com https://www.drdaveschramm.com/ Family Fundamentals: The Secret Sauce to Booming Business \| TEDxEustis Dr. Dave Schramm's Happiness Hacks Facebook Twitter Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	A Dose of Stress Relief Amidst the Chaos: Find Your Subconscious Power Today	16 Mar 2020	00:47:48
Send us a text We're constantly being bombarded with breaking news, fear, and sudden restrictions. Join me in this very interesting interview with Kimberly Friedmutter as we unpack the power of hypnosis as a tool for high performers to excel personally and professionally. Kimberly Friedmutter is a certified master hypnotherapist and life management expert. In this episode, we discuss: How your subconscious drives The difference between trance, mindfulness, and hypnosis The movie "Get Out" and how hypnosis really works How we unwittingly create negative anchors and triggers with our text messages What to expect during a hypnotherapy session How to protect your inner 8-year old Why Kimberly only works with high performers How to get back on track if you feel like you've lost control of your life Techniques to improve work relationships and show up as your best self when you face frustrations at work About Kimberly FriedmutterAs a popular hypnotherapist and life management expert, Kimberly Friedmutter is known for her knowledge on finding achievement and self-awareness from within while envisioning your ideal future. She has been motivating successful people to reach their true potentials for about a decade now, beginning her career prior to hypnotherapy as an actress and radio host. Drawing on her rigorous training in hypnosis and neurolinguistic programming (NLP), Kimberly shares the secret to navigating life’s hurdles and achieving your highest goals and deepest desires. Kimberly’s new book, Subconscious Power: Use Your Inner Mind to Create the Life You've Always Wanted has been acknowledged by many celebrities and has been covered by a number of notable publications as a hot new read. Kimberly has helped many successful individuals work towards practicing better habits that lead to a healthier, happier lifestyles and is open to speaking opportunities and interviews. Website Subconscious Power: Use Your Inner Mind to Create the Life You've Always Wanted Facebook Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Running for Congress & Leadership in the Era of Talent Mobility	02 Mar 2020	00:32:28
Send us a text Join me in this interview with Brynne Kennedy, author, business leader, and Congressional Candidate in the state of California. Brynne shares her experiences as the former head of Topia, a global talent mobility platform. We discuss the challenges of staying connected when the workforce is becoming more and more distributed. Brynne also shared her political platform and areas that she is passionate about. Unlike most episodes, I polled the audience beforehand. The majority of the questions come from you, the people! Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	"I'm Not Here to Make Friends" and Other Missed Connections	17 Feb 2020	00:31:46
Send us a text Join me in this fantastic interview with Dr. Melanie Katzman. Dr. Katzman is a business psychologist, advisor, and consultant to the world·s top public and private companies, government agencies and nonprofits. She is the founder of Katzman Consulting, working with private companies, government agencies and nonprofits. In this episode, we discuss:⦁Common disconnects between people⦁How we can challenge our assumptions to connect on a deeper level with others⦁How to clear any negative energy before approaching someone else⦁How to transition from polite small talk to the real agenda⦁What can we do to maintain connection with remote workers or when working across timezones⦁What happens when you take a hard stance "I'm not here to make friends"⦁Dr. Katzman's take on shared office space and how it creates barriers for meaningful connections⦁Questions to ask to check-in during one-on-ones⦁What to do if you've been disconnected from others at work Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Executive Presence: Lessons from an Executive Coach to the Fortune 500	03 Feb 2020	00:35:45
Send us a text Will having fun at work diminish my image as a leader? Great question! Let's discuss. Join me as I interview Harrison Monarth. Harrison is an executive coach to the executives, managers, and high performers among Fortune 500 companies. Harrison Monarth shares 20+ years of experiences as well as advice for anyone who wants to put their best foot forward at work, advance their careers, and get noticed for their executive presence. He also shares a free executive presence self-assessment that you can complete at www.executivepresenceindicator.com In this episode, we discuss: How Harrison became an executive coach What is executive presence How leaders can unwittingly harm their own credibility How aspiring leaders can hone their executive presence How to avoid becoming someone that people despise at work What executive presence looks like for women in leadership Recommendations for young leaders - how to get respect at work despite your age Harrison's thoughts on whether or not executives can keep their status if they endorse levity One problem out there in the world that levity solves Connect with Harrison Monarth LinkedIn \| Website Executive Presence, Second Edition: The Art of Commanding Respect like a CEO Free Executive Presence Indicator Self-Assessment About this Episode Episode: 16 Title: Executive Presence: Lessons from an Executive Coach to the Fortune 500 Release Date: February 2, 2020 Guest: Harrison Monarth Connect with Dr. Walker: Website \| LinkedIn \| Facebook Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Your Team Needs You! How to Overcome Procrastination and Get Things Done	20 Jan 2020	00:39:43
Send us a text How are your 2020 goals and New Year’s resolutions coming along? If you’re struggling with resolutions, perhaps it’s because you’re trying to resolve things that are meant to remain open-ended. If you resolved to relate differently to your team this year then this is the episode for you. I want to set you up for success this year with additional encouragement as well as tools to help you maintain your energy, reduce distractions, and get going on those goals! Join me as I interview Mayo Oshin-- a writer, researcher and entrepreneur, on a mission to uncover the art and science of building better habits. His work is regularly featured on several major media outlets, including Business Insider, Entrepreneur, Inc. Magazine, Quartz, Thrive Global and more. The home of his work is MayoOshin.Com, where he shares weekly well-researched ideas to his free newsletter, on how to build better habits, make better decisions and live a better life. In this episode we discuss: How your identity links to your habits Why your identity may be sabotaging your New Year’s resolutions How procrastination is like an addiction Ways to overcome procrastination An exercise to use to uncover the reasons behind your behaviors How to eliminate distractions that keep you from being productive How to use mindfulness to overcome fear and stop running on autopilot Several major studies that will support your goals to change your behavior How to strategically plan your energy to be most productive Mayo Oshin Quotes "Too many of us are quick to put the laser focus on our disabilities instead of asking the question ‘given what I have, what can I do?’ That conflict right there is what prevents people from changing habits long term." “You’re not lazy….you’re afraid.” “Procrastination is like a drug in a way. It’s a way to cope with these negative emotions.” “The mistake me make often is that we just go into the office, go to work, and we just tackle whatever is in front of us...It’s like a war zone. ‘Whatever is thrown at me I’m gonna just deal with.’ Firefighting with no sort of strategy in terms of understanding of how your energy comes into play.” Connect with Mayo Oshin LinkedIn \| Website The Weekly Motivational Newsletter (a free newsletter) About this Episode Episode: 15 Title:Your Team Needs You! How to Overcome Procrastination and Get Things Done Release Date: January 20, 2020 Guest: Mayo Oshin Connect with Lead with Levity: Website \| LinkedIn \| Facebook Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	How to Resolve Conflict in 2020 with Your Dignity Intact	06 Jan 2020	00:47:54
Send us a text Join me as I interview Dr. Donna Hicks, a TEDxStormant speaker, author, researcher, and international expert on dignity and conflict resolution. We cover the 10 elements of dignity, how Dr. Hicks got interested in dignity research and how she applied it to international negotiations and conflict resolution. We also discuss the difference between dignity and respect, the most common violations of dignity in the workplace, and how to address dignity violations and confront a violator. About Donna Hicks, Ph.D.Dr. Donna Hicks has a long resume and history of working to help people understand the concept of dignity. Here’s a list of highlights: Dr. Hicks is the Deputy Director of the Program on International Conflict Analysis and Resolution (PICAR) at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University. Israeli/Palestinian conflict - unofficial diplomatic efforts Founded and co-directed a ten-year project in Sri Lanka Conflicts in Northern Ireland and Colombia and conducted several US/Cuba dialogues She is the Vice President of Ara Pacis, an Italian non-governmental organization based in Rome. They are currently involved in a dignity restoration project in Syria and Libya. Dr. Hicks was a consultant to the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) where she co-facilitated encounters between victims and perpetrators of the Northern Irish conflict with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The encounters were made into 3 television programs, Facing the Truth, which were aired throughout the United Kingdom and on BBC World. Taught courses in conflict resolution at Harvard, Clark, and Columbia Universities Conducts trainings and educational seminars in the US and abroad on the role dignity plays in healing and reconciling relationships in conflict as well as dignity leadership training. Clients include the World Bank, the United Nations, the US Navy, and governments worldwide Donna Hicks spoke at TEDxStormont In this episode we discuss: The 10 elements of dignity How Dr. Hicks got interested in dignity research and how she applied it to international negotiations and conflict resolution The difference between dignity and respect The most common violations of dignity in the workplace Tips on how to address dignity violations and confront a violator How do we build a culture that supports this? Quotes “I made a promise to Archbishop Tutu that I would never ever again say that people can have their dignity stripped.” "If we don’t lovingly embrace our own dignity it’s harder to do it with others….we’re not only valuable and worthy, but we are invaluable. We’re priceless, and we’re irreplaceable." Timestamps [18:40] 10 Elements of Dignity: Being able to maintain one’s identity and have others accept it Recognition and praise for doing something praiseworthy Acknowledgement that something terrible happened Inclusion and sense of belonging Safety--physical and psychological Fairness Autonomy and independence Understanding Benefit of the doubt An apology if something bad happens "The brain doesn’t know the difference between a violation to your dignity and a physical wound.” [20:23] A conversation Dr. Hi Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	How to Protect Company Culture (as you scale)	23 Dec 2019	00:32:47
Send us a text Join me as I interview Rob Moore, a UK real estate mogul. We discuss what it means to be a disruptive entrepreneur, his thoughts on company culture, and levity at work. Rob has held 3 world records for public speaking and authored 9 books including global best-seller Life Leverage. Rob founded and co-owns Progressive Property, the UK's largest property education business and own/manages over 750 properties with his partner. Through the Rob Moore Foundation, he provides an opportunity for underprivileged individuals, start-ups and small established businesses to gain valuable support, investment and mentorship from some of the best in the business. All his profits from his book Money go to the foundation. In this episode we discuss: Rob Moore's story Thomas Cook's recent mass layoffs How he achieves success through community building and collaborations How to build a community that lasts as your business grows Top challenges that leaders face Why entrepreneurs struggle with management The mental shift that solopreneurs and entrepreneurs need to make to manage teams The magic size for a great company culture The values that Progressive Property holds to help them maintain levity How to build a loyal team Quotes [9:20] Top challenges for entrepreneurs who are scaling and his experiences as he scaled - "The difference between a leader and a manager is huge...once we put one layer of management in that really changed the culture." [8:35] "I believe in growth through communities and collaborations" [18:00] "When you're an entrepreneur and you hire people, in your mind, you think that people work for you. No one works for you ever. People work for themselves and you're paying them." [24:41] On a potential problem at home: "You want to know what's wrong with your staff so you can help them become more productive. If you assume that it's performance when actually it's illness at home or something in their personal life, then in a way they're getting penalized for that and you're not understanding why they're not productive. When you care to find out what's really going on in their life, 1) you get them more productive quick which is good for your business, and 2) you build loyalty. [29:29] "...love your art, love your mission, but be a liked individual." Get Connected to Rob Moore: Website: www.robmoore.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robmooreprogressive/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/robprogressive Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robmooreprogressive LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/robmoore1979/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwUx_z05pHI Get Connected with Dr. Walker Website: https://www.leadwithlevity.com Email: info@leadwithlevity.com Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Navigating Business Success and Leadership: Insights from Adam House	27 May 2024	00:32:01
Send us a text In today's fast-paced business world, finding success and maintaining a balance between work and personal life can be challenging. With this episode of "Lead with Levity," Dr. Heather Walker sits down with Adam House, a senior executive, business advisor, former professional basketball player, and co-owner of the Rochester RazorSharks, to delve into the keys to success in business and leadership. Setting the Stage Dr. Walker kicks off the podcast by discussing the importance of consistency in achieving success. She reflects on how success is often perceived as an overnight accomplishment, but, in reality, it stems from consistent behaviors and good habits. This sets the stage for a deep dive into Adam House's experiences and insights. From Entrepreneurship to Business Advisory Adam House shares his remarkable journey from starting his first business with just a couple of hundred bucks to launching multiple successful ventures. He emphasizes the importance of resilience, perseverance, and never quitting despite facing failures along the way. Adam's transition from being a CEO to becoming a business advisor has allowed him to help other entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of starting, scaling, and exiting their businesses. Balancing Work and Personal Life One of the key highlights of the conversation is Adam's focus on balancing work commitments with personal life. He shares valuable insights on the seasonal awareness of life, understanding the sacrifices involved in pursuing business goals, and the importance of staying grounded in faith and family values. Leadership Lessons As the discussion progresses, Adam provides expert advice on effective leadership, including setting clear expectations, measuring performance, and providing timely feedback to team members. He stresses the significance of cultural fit, performance-based evaluations, and the necessity of making tough decisions, such as letting go of those who are not a good fit for the organization. Launching New Ventures Despite his success in previous ventures, Adam continues to channel his entrepreneurial spirit by launching new businesses, offering business advisory services, and guiding other entrepreneurs on their journey to success. His podcast, "The House of Bricks," focuses on leveraging life experiences as building blocks for success. Connect with Adam House To learn more about Adam House and his podcast, "The House of Bricks," visit his website at AdamHouseSr.com and follow him on Instagram at @adamhousesr. Don't miss the insightful discussions and valuable insights shared on his podcast! In conclusion, the conversation between Dr. Heather Walker and Adam House offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration for anyone striving for success in business and leadership. By embracing consistency, balancing work and personal life, and cultivating effective leadership skills, individuals can navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship and fulfill their potential in the business world. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Delight Customers the Airbnb Way + TRAVEL GIVEAWAY	09 Dec 2019	00:34:40
Send us a text Join me as I interview Dr. Joseph Michelli, Chief Experience Officer and Customer Service Expert Stick around to learn how you can enter to win a trip to California to tour Airbnb headquarters and learn more about how they approach the customer experience (deadline to enter: December 16, 2019). * Are you ready to transfer the excitement you have for your products and services to your customers? Tune in as we discuss the following: Inputs to a healthy customer experience How Zappos uses play to get employees to go the extra mile (and love it while they do) About Dr. Michelli and the Michelli Experience How Airbnb disrupted the hotel industry A new breakfast strategy that Godiva is taking to delight its customers How the convenience store industry is currently being disrupted About Dr. Joseph Michelli Learn more about the Michelli Experience (https://www.josephmichelli.com/) Connect with Dr. Michelli on Twitter \| LinkedIn Resources Mentioned in this Episode Learn more about the Airbnb travel contest Book: The Airbnb Way: 5 Leadership Lessons for Igniting Growth through Loyalty, Community, and Belonging Book:The New Gold Standard: 5 Leadership Principles for Creating a Legendary Customer Experience Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company Book: Driven to Delight: Delivering World-Class Customer Experience the Mercedes-Benz Way Book: The Starbucks Experience: 5 Principles for Turning Ordinary Into Extraordinary Book: The Zappos Experience: 5 Principles to Inspire, Engage, and WOW About this Episode Episode: 12 Title: Delight Customers the Airbnb Way + TRAVEL GIVEAWAY Release Date: December 9, 2019 Guest: Joseph Michelli, Ph.D. Connect with Lead with Levity: Website \| LinkedIn \| Facebook \| Instagram Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	How to be a BADA$$ (without burning out)	25 Nov 2019	00:42:03
Send us a text Is it possible to excel at work without being mentally and physically drained at the end of the day when we return to our family and friends? Listen in as we discuss short mindfulness practices that can both improve our productivity at work and energize us throughout the day. Today we will be joined by Women’s Mindful Empowerment Coach and Psychotherapist, Shonda Moralis. She reveals: The mental and physical benefits of mindfulness breaks How to fit mindfulness breaks into your busy schedule How to bring mindfulness into the workplace What's covered in this episode: Introduction to Shonda Moralis What is Mindfulness Empowerment? 5-minute mindfulness breaks can help us become more productive and efficient Mindfulness is an intentional, daily practice Shonda’s advice on building up the skill of mindfulness How to handle mind wandering off during meditation How to bring mindfulness into the workplace What to do when you feel like you can’t set aside 5 minutes to practice mindfulness Tools that can remind you to meditate Shonda’s advice to moms who come home mentally and physically exhausted after work How to sprinkle your day with mindfulness breaks Shonda talks about her book launch for “Breathe, Empower, Achieve: 5-Minute Mindfulness for Busy Women” Bonus: Heather on practicing mindfulness and helping others when they are stressed out Quotes--- On mindfulness empowerment “It’s this marriage between mindfulness – being able to calm ourselves and have insight and awareness – and empowerment i.e. allowing us to level up in our lives.” When we slow down just a notch, the pace of our day goes from feeling frantic and urgent to more calm and sustainable. We become more productive and more efficient. We’re not as stressed out so we can sustain our energy longer. We can’t control outside factors. But we can control our reaction to them. We can take a mindful break anytime, anywhere. The definition of mindfulness -- or the one I like to use -- is being aware of what’s happening in the moment with an attitude of kindness and curiosity and acceptance. -- On dealing with the mind wandering off during meditation Our mind will never stop wandering off. That’s what it’s designed to do. It’s about noticing when we wander off, where we wander off to, and then bringing our attention back. Get Connected with Shonda Moralis: http://shondamoralis.net/ Resources Mentioned in the Episode Breathe, Mama, Breathe: 5-Minute Mindfulness for Busy Moms by Shonda Moralis Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	How to Build Rapport with Anyone	11 Nov 2019	00:24:23
Send us a text Have you ever really wanted to connect to someone but couldn’t get around the awkwardness? Join us as we discuss actionable tips on how you can approach that next conversation with a stranger at a networking event, your team, your supervisor, or family and friends. Today we will be joined by Founder of People Formula and social psychologist, Robin Dreeke! Former Head of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, Robin Dreeke shares his experiences recruiting foreign spies for the FBI and reveals: How to build rapport without coming off as creepy or suspicious What to do when people have their guards up His four pillars for making the entire conversation about the other person TIME STAMPS[04:20] Introduction to Robin Dreeke [05:19] How long was Robin Dreeke with the FBI? [05:35] What Robin Dreeke does as a behavioral analyst? [06:47] Robin Dreeke on recruiting foreign spies for the FBI What is the process of recruiting a foreign spy? [07:24] How do you get close to a foreign spy to recruit them? [09:30] Don’t the spies see you coming and have their guards up? [10:34] Two methodologies that intelligence services use - covert approach or the beacon approach [10:51] [11:37] How do you build rapport in a way that doesn’t come off as creepy or suspicious? Robin’s three anchors Have a healthy and professional relationship [12:22] Have open and honest communication and transparency [10:35] Be an available resource for the success of others without expectation of reciprocity [12:49] Four pillars to making the entire conversation about the other person Seek their thoughts and opinions [13:17] Talk in terms of their priorities [13:21] Validate who they are without judging them [13:28] Empower them with choices [13:40] [18:16] Lessons Robin learnt when he was ranked last out of all the second lieutenants in the Marine Corps How to be a better leader — Make it about everyone else but yourself [18:23] The new car effect [19:14] [19:56] Robin’s advice on how to build rapport at a networking event Look for someone who’s smiling [20:31] Seek their thought or opinion about a third-party reference [20:44] QUOTES--- On behavioral analysis Behavioral analysis throughout my entire career both inside and outside the FBI really came down to communication with people and leading. — On leadership Leadership (at least one aspect of it) is moving towards a goal with either one or a group of people. — On recruiting foreign spies for the FBI My job inside the FBI was to strategize how to recruit a foreign spy. And that requires a massive amount of behavioral analysis to come up with ways that strategize trust and strategize a strong, healthy relationship. It [recruiting foreign spies] is basically trying to recruit individual Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	3 Ways to Accelerate Culture Change	28 Oct 2019	00:25:19
Send us a text Culture is such a hot topic right now. If someone told you that your culture needs a reboot where would you begin? How long does it take to change a culture? Tune in as we discuss practical ways to shift corporate culture. Today we will be joined by Founder and CEO of QuayFive, Kirsty Bashforth! Kirsty Bashforth is founder and CEO of QuayFive Ltd, and 20+ year veteran of British Petroleum (BP). Kirsty shares her experiences helping BP shift its culture after the Macondo well oil leak in 2010. A change management professional, Kirsty Bashforth reveals: key questions for any CEO who wants a shift in company culture; factors that determine how long a culture change takes; and, three practical tips on changing company culture. TIME STAMPS[02:54] Introduction to Kirsty Bashforth [04:23] The sort of companies Kirsty typically works with [05:15] How Kirsty rose through the ranks at BP and helped change the company culture [06:16] Kirsty’s first question to any CEO who says, “I need to change our culture. We have these values on the wall, and we’re not living up to them.” [09:31] How long does it typically take to shift company culture? Rule of thumb Kirsty uses -- For a proper shift, it takes three cycles of any process [11:16] Factors that affect how long it takes to shift company culture [12:17] [12:37] Three practical tips for changing a culture Align your culture with your strategy. [12:55] Treat culture as an equal partner with strategy. [13:13] Think behavioural economics, not traditional project management. [13:49] [16:10] You’ll never get everybody as engaged as you’d like. [17:17] Shifting big organisations depends on the operating model and ownership structure of the company. [18:14] Kirsty’s biggest challenge when trying to work with different organisations [20:26] Kirsty’s positive experiences with some leadership teams [22:51] Cultural diversity in the workplace -- Some of the richer conversations Kirsty’s had about culture were when there were more geographic cultures in the room QUOTES--- On workplace culture The workplace culture is people’s habits, behaviours, perceptions, assumptions that all add up to “the way things are done around here”. A lot of it [workplace culture] comes from the individuals. It’s not as simple as telling one of us to behave differently or to have a different habit. --- On shifting company culture The starting point for many who haven’t thought about this topic much is, it’s either the wrong words are on the wall [they think] or it’s because they are struggling with “something about our culture doesn’t seem to help where we need to go as a company. We can start off by assuming the problem [with the company culture] is those people over there. But when I try to help leadership teams really work out, it actually often starts with us. I never start with “this is Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	THINK. DO. SAY. Selling your message in a busy busy world	14 Oct 2019	00:35:09
Send us a text "Bringing truth and trust back to marketing" Today we will be joined by award-winning advertising professional and author, Ron Tite! CEO of Church+State, Ron Tite notes that content creators are competing for the consumer’s time, and so he focuses on bringing only good advertising/authentic content to consumers. Introduction Welcome to the Lead with Levity podcast. My goal is to interview a diverse set of leaders who are interested in making a big impact on the employee experience and willing to share their perspectives on levity at work. Today we will be joined by award-winning advertising professional and author, Ron Tite! CEO of Church+State, Ron Tite notes that content creators are competing for the consumer’s time, and so he focuses on bringing only good advertising/authentic content to consumers. TIME STAMPS[03:31] About Church+State [05:15] Best techniques for internal marketing -- How to inspire employees to get on board [09:05] Building trust by being authentic i.e. being honest and imperfect [13:25] How corporate buzzwords can erode trust [16:09] Ron talks about the dark side of marketing [22:16] How can organizations compete for attention with a workforce that is used to having messaging that is targeted specifically for them? [27:08] Viewing employees from a marketing perspective \| What makes a great brand? What do you firmly believe in? [27:43] What actions do you take to reinforce that belief? [29:45] The marketing message i.e. How do you then talk about it? [29:56] QUOTES--- On Church+State: “The phrase “the separation of church and state” is typically applied to the relationship between advertising and content. We believe that, now, any ad can be a piece of content if it’s good enough, and any piece of content can be an ad if it’s authentic enough.” “If you’re pumping out content for people to consume, you’re actually competing against Time Magazine. And so, as an individual, you should think the same way and apply the same process and standards to the work that you generate as Time Magazine does.” “It doesn’t matter whether you’re a brand, a media company, or a person, we’re all just competing for time.” ---- On convincing employees to join you “New behaviours are what lead to growth.” “How do I motivate and inspire people to join me? That is based on what you think, what you do, and what you say. People need to know exactly what you believe in, they need to see that you follow that up with actions that reinforce that belief, and you need to talk about it in an honest and imperfect way.” ---- On being honest and imperfect “There are two types of honesty. The first is the external honesty with your stakeholders --- You don’t lie to your customers and you don’t lie to your employees. The second one is more powerful, and that is being honest with yourself.” Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	A bridge to JOY through restorative circles	30 Sep 2019	00:34:51
Send us a text Today we will be graced by Austin’s beloved radio personality, author, motivational speaker, and business consultant extraordinaire -- Ms. Kimberly Holiday! Lead with Levity Podcast Show NotesEpisode: 7Release date: September 30, 2019Title: A bridge to JOY through restorative circlesGuest: Kimberly “Lady Joy” HolidayRadio Personality, Author, and Business Consultant (Austin, Texas) Introduction Welcome to the Lead with Levity podcast. My goal is to interview a diverse set of leaders who are interested in making a big impact on the employee experience and willing to share their perspectives on levity at work. Today we will be graced by Austin’s beloved radio personality, author, motivational speaker, and business consultant extraordinaire -- Ms. Kimberly Holiday! Kimberly Holiday, otherwise known to most as LadyJoy, is the on air personality for KAZI 88.7 FM’s The Juice and Jam Morning Show, but she wears many hats. As the owner of The Mobile Nanny Staffing Agency, she’s able to fulfill her personal commitment to child and family advocacy. As a published author and motivational speaker, Ms. Holiday’s inspirational messages cross domestic and international boundaries. She has a heart to serve others by modeling the potential to live with joy regardless of life’s circumstances. Her smile is her logo and #Gotjoy is her brand! TIME STAMPS[04:13] The story behind the #GotJoy brand [05:44] How do you bring the concept of #GotJoy into the work you do? \| Bonus: Why Kimberly's called Lady Joy [08:19] Lady Joy talks about healing circles [10:00] Is there a place for healing circles in the corporate setting? [12:48] When is the best time for an organization to do healing circles? [14:55] Kimberly talks about her experience with sexual molestation and her healing [16:24] Addressing emotional literacy through healing circles [16:58] Healing circles are a conduit to get you through a place of healing to a place of joy [17:43] Kimberly explains emotional literacy [19:27] The impact of emotional literacy on the workplace [21:32] Is there a link between joy and levity? \| Kimberly talks about changeableness [22:55] How would you incorporate levity into what you do? [24:09] Have you done any of the [learning] circles with adults? [25:45] Kimberly talks about mental wellness QUOTES--- On Levity "Levity involves quality interactions, and there's a certain level of realness that has to occur between people for them to get to that point." Heather Walker "Levity to me almost feels fluid, like liquid gold that can seep into every single nook, cranny and crevice, and it can reach places that humor and strategy and business meetings cannot reach." "When we talk about levity, we're not saying Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Lessons from World Cup Champions	16 Sep 2019	00:24:12
Send us a text “What differentiates a successful leader from the rest?" Guest Dr. John Gillis, Jr. Episode: 6Title: Lessons from World Cup ChampionsRelease date: September 16, 2019Guest: John Gillis, Jr. Ed.D. (President and CEO of Leadership X in Austin, Texas) IntroductionWelcome to the Lead with Levity podcast. My goal is to help leaders build healthy work environments through advice, tools, and connection they get from this podcast. I’m excited about today’s guest--Dr. John Gillis Jr. He co-authored the best-seller Powerhouse: 13 Teamwork Tactics that Build Excellence and Unrivaled Success. He built a futuristic, yet surprisingly accurate personality-based business simulation for executive development program called the “Leadership Xperience.” He’s a Program Director for The Conference Board. He serves on the Board of Wonders and Worries, a mental health organization that provides support for children and teens when their parents get sick. And he’s built up credibility over the years through his consulting work at well known firms like Accenture, IBM, and First Order Consulting. What can I say? This guy is amazing. TIME STAMPS [00:56]Where John Gillis gets the time and energy to achieve it all [01:55]John Gillis describes his brand in a nutshell [03:36]When do companies need John the most? [05:54]John talks about how his typical process in helping organizations [08:27]What are the top issues that keep a team from sustaining success and growth? [11:52]What differentiates a successful leader from the rest? [13:35]What one needs to do to get to a point where they can successfully lead a team? [17:09]If you could give the Best in Class Lead with Levity Award today to a company, who would you name? [19:57]What’s on the horizon for John Gillis? [22:45]If levity could fix one problem out there in the world, what would it be? “If we could have levity with our governments in the United States and across the world, we could have collaborative, forward-thinking conversations to make the world a better place.” Contact John GillisYou can learn more about Dr. Gillis and the resources he mentioned by following these links: Website \| LinkedIn \| Twitter Receive the weekly Leadership Xpressions Get a copy of Powerhouse today! http://amzn.com/1626346380 Email: Gillis@LeadershipX.com Quotes “To be effective at being a facilitator, a consultant, an MC, you need to have the diverse experiences.” “High-performing, successful companies continue to invest in their teamwork, their leadership, and their people.” “Every organization culture is different. You can’t pick an out-of-the-box solution.” “What differentiates a successful leader from the rest? Setting expectations Developing each individual on the team Inspiring the team members.” Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	"Checking the box" and other leadership errors	16 Sep 2019	00:46:43
Send us a text “Creating an environment where levity is a big component of it, where people can be their more authentic selves, is going to increase the likelihood that you keep the people that you want to keep within your organization.” Guest Dr. Robert Patterson Lead with Levity Podcast Show Notes Introduction Dr. Robert Patterson is a licensed psychologist and senior consultant at Collarelli, Meyer, and Associates, a midwest management consulting firm with a global reach. They’ve been in business since 1975 serving the Fortune 500, nonprofits, and even some family owned businesses. Dr. Patterson is passionate about building leadership capacity and supercharging high performing teams. He’s currently an external consultant, but he also has several years of experience working in a governmental setting supporting training and professional development for employees at the Department of Veteran Affairs. He’s a well traveled, cultured professional with an eye on factors that support business success. TIME STAMPS[11:35]Robert Patterson talks about his dissertation on personality-type factors and situational factors that might predict resistance to change[13:45]What kind of consulting Robert does at CMA[15:04]Do you ever work with smaller companies or startups?[16:39]Do small startups tend to mess up hiring because they are in rush mode?[21:47]Robert talks about the possible implications of the freelance workforce[25:05]What differentiates great leaders from the rest?[26:27] Agility in meeting your team’s and other stakeholder’s needs.[27:36] Vulnerability – understanding you don’t have the right answers all the time.[29:36] In terms of diversity, equity and inclusion, what are the trends and what do you wish people will do differently?[32:09]Inclusion is not just checking X number of boxes[38:20]From a diversity and inclusion standpoint, is there a place for levity in the workplace?[45:01]If levity could fix one problem in the world, what would it be? Contact Dr. Robert PattersonLinkedIn \| Twitter \| Website Resources Mentioned in the EpisodeProsci Change Management Certification Program CMA Consult website Quotes “If you look at organizations that function well, a big component of that is that there are people who want to be there.” “The employee comment box – having it there but not doing anything with it is almost worse than not having anything at all.” “A big part of our business is helping organizations identify the people that are going to be the right fit for both the role they’re looking for and the culture of the organization.” “What makes a great leader in organization A may or may not make for a great leader in organization B.” “In addition to the culture, you have to be comfortable adapting to the needs of the organization Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Can I be HUMAN with YOU?	16 Sep 2019	00:33:55
Send us a text Jennifer McDonnell specializes in organizational development and she brings an interesting perspective to the conversation through her work in retail, higher education, pharmaceuticals, and housing. Lead with Levity Podcast Show Notes Episode: 5Title: Can I be HUMAN with YOU?Release date: September 16, 2019Guest: Jennifer McDonnell (Senior Organizational Development Specialist of Senior Living Services, Brentwood, Missouri) Jennifer McDonnell specializes in organizational development and she brings an interesting perspective to the conversation through her work in retail, higher education, pharmaceuticals, and housing. Jennifer currently supports Lutheran Senior Services, a large faith-based non-profit that is spread out across 21 locations in Missouri and Illinois. Lutheran Senior Services has provided housing and assisted living services in the community for 160 years! Time Stamps [01:44] Who is an organizational development specialist? [03:14] About Lutheran Senior Services [04:00] With Lutheran Senior Services being so spread out, how do you maintain an overarching culture? [07:40] What Lutheran Senior Services does to manage employee experience [11:04] Out of the different ways data is collected at Lutheran, what do you think pays off the most? [13:11] Taking care of your staff so they can take care of your clients [16:05] What is the biggest people factor that keeps you and your team up at night? [19:25] What attracts workers to Lutheran Senior Services? [23:07] Is levity good or bad for business? [24:43] Is there a place for levity at Lutheran Senior Services? If so, what would that look like, and what barriers would you have to overcome to get started? [26:53] What’s the best part of the culture at Lutheran Senior Services? [31:10] If levity could fix one problem out there in the world, what would it be? QUOTES· When I think about the development that we do with our leaders, I spend a lot of time talking about having those conversations that open up that leader-employee relationship, this piece of lightness like, “Oh, I can talk to you, and it’s not all about work production.” · Levity is good for business. When we bring all these people into the workplace with different experiences, levity says, “Oh I can still be human with you. I can still laugh with you.” It builds trust, and when you trust someone, it’s like, “I want to work for you. And I know you want the best for me.” · Sometimes as a leader, you have to give up a little bit of your vulnerability to allow people to feel safe to be human with you. · [on overcoming barriers to levity in the workplace] We would have to knock down some cultural barriers within the workplace to say, “Hey, figure out three things you want to share with your employees and be transparent about as a person.” · To take care of folks, to change diapers, to be at the beck and call of another human can be t Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Excuse me, there's something in your teeth	16 Sep 2019	00:32:30
Send us a text Psychological Associates specializes in selection, development and retention of top talent. They use assessments to raise self-awareness and to create a base for emotional intelligence as well as behavioral change at a level that permeates the organization. Guest: Dr. Patricia Bagsby Lead with Levity Podcast Show Notes Episode: 3Title: Excuse me, there’s something in your toothRelease date: September 16, 2019Guest: Patricia Bagsby, Ph.D. (Vice President of Organizational Consulting, Psychological Associates in St. Louis, Missouri) Introduction Welcome to the Lead with Levity podcast. My goal is to interview a diverse set of leaders who are interested in making a big impact on the employee experience and willing to share their perspectives on levity at work. Dr. Bagsby is an organizational psychologist and top executive at Psychological Associates, a Saint Louis based consulting firm that’s been in business for 60 years. Psychological Associates specializes in selection, development and retention of top talent. They use assessments to raise self-awareness and to create a base for emotional intelligence as well as behavioral change at a level that permeates the organization. Dr. Bagsby doesn’t just lead this organization, she leads with excellence. She recently made Workforce Magazine’s 2019 list of Game Changers. Levity is about connection. Time Stamps [02:14]About Psychological Associates [02:39]Who is Psychological Associates’ target customer? [03:18]How do people reach out to Psychological Associates for assistance? [03:58]The leadership philosophy at Psychological Associates [04:51]Psychological Associates has seen it all – from the superstar leader to the complete trainwreck. [06:37]How do you walk someone through a hard trainwreck year? [08:15]Psych Associates’ assessments are about where you can get better [09:40]A leader who checks all the boxes and is really rocking it, what differentiates them from the rest? [10:29]The top interpersonal issues Psych Associates has noticed in leaders [14:07]Brief explanation of the Q4 Dimensional Model of Behavior [17:45]How closely related is the Q4 model to personality? [18:10]Shifting the focus from personality to behavior [20:50]Combining personality assessments with the Q4 model [22:21]Patricia Bagsby on working in a company where everything was serious all the time [24:21]Do you think levity is good for business? [25:15]Answer [26:07]If you could give the Best in Class Lead with Levity Award today to a company, who would you name? [29:10]If levity could fix 1 problem out there in the world, what would it be? “I see it as reducing the defensiveness so you can have that conversation – giving you a door into a dialogue that maybe never would have happened.” Quotes “Absolutely get the job done.” “Results are important, but relationships are equally important.” “If I’m making a tough decision or even an exciting, new direction, I think about it from both sides – what’s the result side of it and what’s the people side of it?” “You can see someone who’s a superstar have a trainwreck day or a trainwreck year.” “Ther Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	The Secret to Success in Every Industry: A Conversation with Rasmus Holst	13 May 2024	00:38:04
Send us a text In a world where the average turnover rate in some industries spikes to over 21%, holding onto talent becomes a challenge every leader faces. Yet, it's a challenge that Rasmus Holst, CEO of LMS 365, meets with a vision that transcends the typical corporate approach. In an enlightening episode of the Lead What Levity podcast, hosted by Dr. Heather Walker, Rasmus divulges the universal key to not just keeping talent, but also nurturing it to thrive and grow within any industry. Understanding Human Success From the onset, Rasmus Holst lays out a compelling narrative that challenges the conventional norms of employee retention and corporate growth. "Investing in human success is universal," he asserts, drawing connections between diverse fields like construction and software development. This notion is grounded in the belief that regardless of the industry, providing people with reasons to grow and stay is essential. A notable statistic sheds light on this perspective: more than 40% of workers in the U.S. report that their organization's commitment to employee development keeps them satisfied at work. Yet, less than half feel their company significantly invests in their growth. The LMS 365 Story: From Library to Global Business Rasmus shares the intriguing origin story of LMS 365, which began nearly two decades ago with a dentist in Denmark who quit his job to help people find books in a local library. This simple yet innovative act laid the foundation for a global business, turning over about $30 million and partnering up with giants like Microsoft. Fast forward to today, LMS 365 is used by 2000 organizations across the world, affirming Rasmus's belief that great ideas can come from the most humble beginnings. Changing Narratives: Human Resources to Human Success Rasmus introduces a thought-provoking shift in corporate terminology: from human resources to human success. This language change reflects a deeper commitment to recognizing employees not as mere assets but as individuals with potential and aspirations. "Why are we not thinking about people as success?" he questions, prompting leaders to invest in their teams' success, not just witness it from afar. The Power of Human Success In an era where technological advancements and corporate structures redefine work cultures, Rasmus Holst's philosophy presents a refreshing perspective on success. It's a conversation that extends beyond the confines of LMS 365, challenging leaders across all industries to reflect on how they view, treat, and invest in their most valuable asset: their people. Listeners left the conversation with not just insights into one CEO's journey from a small Danish library to the helm of a global enterprise but also with a challenge to redefine what success looks like within their organizations—and, possibly, within themselves. For more insights into Rasmus Holst's vision and the transformative power of LMS 365, connect with him on LinkedIn or explore the innovative solutions at LMS 365. This episode of the Lead What Levity podcast not only peeled back layers on the necessity of nurturing talent but also served as a beacon for those looking to foster an environment where people are encouraged to grow, stay, and thrive. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Do I have to be a clown?	16 Sep 2019	00:08:39
Send us a text Managers are often expected to drive the culture. Are they concerned that allowing a little levity might also mean that they have to "bring the fun"? If so, what impact might that have on their reputations? Is the responsibility on employees or management? Join me as I reflect on these questions, sharing personal stories about the Office Olympics and Team Star Wars. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Why Levity?	18 Jul 2019	00:20:22
Send us a text Some lead with hope. Others lead with fear. I lead with levity. If you want your employees to care as much about your business as you do, then you should care about levity too. Allow me to introduce myself, my research on this topic, and why I care so much about cultivating levity at work. TIME STAMPS[01:15] What is an organizational psychologist? [02:04] Why I started Lead with Levity podcast [03:30] How this all started [05:46] Employee engagement – What gets someone to the point of disengagement? [07:25] Digging into the concept of fun [09:23] What is levity?Levity is considered an uplifting and/or pleasurable dynamic between two or more individuals that lacks tension and anxiety. [13:47] Three components of levity- Buoyancy: an interaction that is organic in its origin and requires minimal effort.- Amusement: a pleasurable interaction that incorporates playful exchanges.- Edification: is an interaction that’s psychologically uplifting in that it celebrates achievements or corrects behavior in a manner that’s easily absorbed and appreciated by the recipient. Connect with Heather WalkerWebsite \| LinkedIn Books Mentioned in the EpisodeThe Levity Effect: Why It Pays to Lighten Up by Adrian Gostick, Scott Christopher Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!
	Navigating the Corporate Ladder: Insights from African American C-Suite Executives	29 Apr 2024	00:47:55
Send us a text In this episode of the Lead with Levity podcast, I had the profound opportunity to host Dr. Chuck Wallington, a towering figure in the realm of corporate leadership and a beacon for aspiring African American executives. Dr. Wallington, the author of "A Seat at the C-Suite Table: Insights from the Leadership Journeys of African American Executives," shares invaluable wisdom gleaned from his research and personal journey, highlighting the nuanced challenges and victories experienced by black male leaders across the nation. The Uniqueness of the Black Executive Experience One of the most compelling revelations from Dr. Wallington's work is the distinctiveness of the leadership journey for African American males in corporate America. Through his doctoral research, which originally stemmed from a quest to understand the scarcity of black men in public relations, Wallington broadened his scope to explore the stories of 30 black male executives. These narratives collectively underscore the rarefied air these leaders breathe and navigate within the C-suite realm – often as the first and only person of color in executive teams. Mentorship: A Pillar for Success A recurring theme in these leadership journeys is the vital role of mentorship. Despite the prevailing narrative, Wallington's findings reveal that while not all successful black executives had mentors, the ones who did could draw on a reservoir of support and guidance that significantly eased their paths. This mentorship paradigm extends beyond race, emphasizing the universal value of having seasoned advisors for those climbing the corporate ladder. Challenges and Opportunities for Growth The conversations Wallington had with these executives illuminate the ongoing challenges faced by black men in corporate America. The physical presence, the conscious efforts to not intimidate colleagues, and the overarching need to constantly prove oneself are just snippets of a larger narrative that demands attention and action. The Unlearning Process: A Path Forward Reflecting on personal growth, Wallington emphasizes the importance of unlearning preconceived notions and biases. This process of unlearning, prompted by new evidence or perspectives, is crucial for personal and professional development. It underscores the necessity for a mindset open to growth, change, and understanding, particularly in supporting colleagues, friends, and teams from different backgrounds. Conclusion Dr. Chuck Wallington's journey, coupled with the insights from his research, offers a clarion call to corporate America and beyond. It's a call for introspection, broader inclusion, and a concerted effort to understand and address the unique challenges faced by African American executives. As we reflect on these stories, let us consider how we, too, can be a part of the change – through mentorship, a willingness to learn and unlearn, and our actions and policies that nurture an environment where every leader can flourish, regardless of race. Thank you, Dr. Chuck Wallington, for sharing your profound insights and research. Your work not only shines a light on the often untold stories of black male executives but also serves as a roadmap for building more inclusive and empathetic leadership frameworks in every sphere of influence. Support the show Did you have any lightbulb moments while listening? Share it with us on Instagram @leadwithlevity or visit our website leadwithlevity.com so we can talk about it!

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