Category Archives: Career

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487: Closing the Confidence Gap with Kelli Thompson

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Over the years, I’ve been exposed to a number of coach-written books. Many, though certainly nowhere near all, serve as little more than business cards or lead magnets to their coaching programs.

kelli thompson

Some are good, some are just okay. Few, however, would I consider to be as well-written and well-researched as the one I want to expose you to today.

It is written by Kelli Thompson and is called Closing the Confidence Gap: Boost Your Peace, Your Potential, and Your Paycheck.

In it, Kelli asks, What would you do if you had a little more confidence? Would you take the next step in your career, assume more leading roles, set boundaries, ask for a raise, or even run for office?

She goes on to say that doubt and imposter feelings are a big reason women hold back and play small instead of going for what they truly desire at work. Coupled with the systemic gender equity issues and the resulting burnout that plagues women in the workplace today, it’s no wonder that so many women are undervaluing themselves and their abilities.

These doubtful thoughts and systemic issues, she says, are expensive―they cost women their peace, their potential, and their paychecks.

To close the confidence gap and see more women showing up in their full potential at work, Kelli says we need more women leaders at the top of organizations. Her book will show you how to advance with confidence, despite the systemic issues that women face every day at work. You’ll hear deeply personal stories and walk away with practical tools to show you how to claim your role as a confident leader.

“It’s time to own who you are, trust yourself, and take your bravest next step.” — Kelli Thompson

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Kelli and her work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

Join in on our chat below

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484: The Surprising Science of High-Performing Teams with David Burkus

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This week’s guest is making a repeat appearance (or should I say, “three-peat” appearance?). It’s been a while since his last visit, but I can say it is definitely worth the wait.

david burkus

His name is David Burkus. We previously chatted with David about his books Friend of a Friend and Under New Management.

His new book is called Best Team Ever! The Surprising Science of High-Performing Teams.

Talent, David says, doesn’t make the team—the team makes the talent. But why are some teams more motivated, innovative, and successful than others? Why do some groups of talented people fall short against lesser teams? And how do you go about building a high-performing team?

David understands that to build the best team, you must first shape the habits and practices that bring out the best in each member. Best Team Ever reveals what some of the world’s most effective teams do, and shows you how you can do the same.

Banish the frustration of having a team of talented people who can’t perform optimally. Discover how to develop a clear, concise understanding of how your team’s culture affects its performance. Follow this simple, practical blueprint to cultivate a Best Team Ever environment and set your team on a path to success.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about David and his work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

Join in on our chat below

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482: How Leaders Can Move Teams From Isolated to All In with Steven Van Cohen

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I was in a crunch for time the week I sat down with today’s guest and needed to get through his book (a seven- to eight-hour read) in a single day. What to do?

steven van cohen

I had a physical copy of the book in hand, but needed to get through it quickly. I decided to use one of my favorite speed reading tricks. I purchased the audiobook version. Then, following along in the physical book, I cranked up the audiobook to 2X speed. Instead of nearly eight hours, I was through the book in less than four!

Now, to be clear, you can do this with audiobooks (and podcasts) all day long if you like. But with books, unless you’re following along in either the ebook or have a physical copy, don’t expect to retain much of the book’s content later, let alone comprehend any of it.

Who is this guest and book? His name is Steven Van Cohen. His new book, co-written with Ryan Jenkins, is called Connectable: How Leaders Can Move Teams From Isolated to All, and connect we did.

I found Steven to be quite personable. He’s extremely good at what he does, as he’s been doing it for nearly two decades. Here’s a bit about what the book dives into:

The book covers how tackling the issue of worker loneliness head-on can transform an isolated workforce into one that’s happier, more engaged, and more productive.

Steven and his co-author, Ryan Jenkins, distill their methodology, showing you what’s causing today’s loneliness, the role inclusion plays in solving it, and how you can decrease loneliness and increase belonging, engagement, and performance with employees at every level―including yourself. 

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Steven and his work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

Join in on our chat below

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481: How to See What Others Don’t with Constance Dierickx, PhD

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This week’s guest—someone who I once referred to as “a hoot”—makes her second appearance on the show, her first in nearly six years.

constance dierickx

Her name is Dr. Constance Dierickx. We last heard from her way back in Episode #190 to talk about her book High Stakes Leadership.

This time she’s here to discuss her brand new book, Meta-Leadership: How to See What Others Don’t and Make Great Decisions.

All top leaders make mistakes, she says, simply because they are human. In fact, the more senior and successful they are, the more susceptible they are to making errors due to over-confidence and perhaps, hubris. But, as Constance demonstrates, this doesn’t have to be your fate.

In her new book, she draws on a vast body of research from psychology and business to show how great leaders can improve their judgment for stronger, more profitable results. Incorporating leading-edge data and research on the science of thinking, emotional regulation, and behavior, Meta Leadership offers fascinating stories, incisive insights, and useful takeaways for better leadership and better outcomes.

Whether you are at the start of your leadership journey or have held a senior leadership role for years, Meta-Leadership will arm you with knowledge and insights to achieve the highest results from yourself and your team.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Constance and her work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

Join in on our chat below

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480: The Case for Good Jobs with Zeynep Ton

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Two years ago, my 81-year-old mother, fell in love with Turkish culture. Credit Turkish men. Suffice to say, there’s not a Turkish movie or soap opera she hasn’t seen at least twice. She’s even teaching herself the language.

zeynep ton

This means, of course, that possibly for the first time ever, she’ll be excited to give one of my episodes a listen because Turkey is from where my guest today originally hails.

Her name is Zeynep Ton (Zeynep, according to my mother, is a popular girl’s name in Turkey. It’s even the name of a leading character on one of her “shows.”).

And Zeynep’s new book, released just a few weeks ago, is called The Case for Good Jobs: How Great Companies Bring Dignity, Pay & Meaning to Everyone’s Work.

From healthcare facilities to call centers, fulfillment centers to factories, and restaurants to retail stores, companies are struggling to find or keep workers, Zeynep says, because the jobs they offer are low-paying, stressful, and provide little chance for growth and success.

Workers want good jobs, and many leaders want to provide them.

But they don’t think they can offer higher pay and more motivating work without hurting the bottom line. Most business leaders want to win with customers, but their companies are hobbled by a host of service and operational problems largely driven by high employee turnover—turnover that’s partly driven by low pay.

With expertise drawn from spending time on the front lines with workers and their managers, Zeynep knows what’s keeping most companies mired in mediocrity and how implementing a good jobs system makes them more competitive, more resilient, and more likely to attract and retain loyal customers and dedicated employees.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Zeynep and her work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

Join in on our chat below

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