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469: Optimizing Learning and Development in the Workplace with James McKenna

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If there’s one thing in life I’ve grown to love, it’s learning. That hasn’t always been the case. But ever since I fell back in love with books in 2003, I’ve been on a learning journey that has no end in sight (and that’s A-OK with me).

james mckenna

I see myself today as a lifelong learner. That you’re here probably means you see yourself in much the same way. One thing I’ve enjoyed learning more about lately is learning itself. In other words, learning how to learn.

That’s why I am especially excited today for you to hear from author James McKenna.

His new book offers an accessible guide to understanding and applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to the workplace. Using exemplars from across sectors and industries, James highlights how learning and development professionals can redefine the goals of learning in the corporate environment – not only for the benefit of the organization but also, and perhaps more importantly, for the individual.

His book, Upskill, Reskill, Thrive illustrates how to create and sustain learning and work environments that honor and empower individuals in ways that promote knowledge generation and sharing.

It’s a book that will help L&D educators and corporate leaders motivate their teams from the inside to improve performance and become part of an inclusive culture across an organization.

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

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468: Stop Writing Books Nobody Reads with Debs Jenkins

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Networks are an amazing thing. And to think I never even considered what a boon this podcast could be to my own network when I launched it nearly 10 years ago.

debs jenkins

There is Dan Horowitz of LinkedIn. He read my book and invited me to speak to his employees. Later, he introduced me to author Ann Latham. Ann would appear on the podcast twice in less than three months.

Ann, then introduced me to the person I have the privilege of speaking with today. Debs Jenkins.

Debs is a book writing coach, and author of Stop Writing Books Nobody Reads: The Dangerously Effective Way to Write and Publish a Book That People Read and Refer.

Debs says that you don’t need a long book published by a traditional publisher to get what you need. You need to get short valuable ideas out to your market in a professional way, as quickly as possible.

Many people, Debs says, don’t get their ideas turned into things (books written) because they skip an element in the process, reinvent the process or don’t even have a process to start with. When you have the process you can turn your thoughts into many different things. This book gives you the process so you can write your book that will be read and referred!

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

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467: Success Starts With Your Thinking with Mind Your Mindset Author Megan Hyatt Miller

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The last time today’s guest appeared (which was also her first time), I wrote that I hoped it wouldn’t be her last. Well, lucky for you and me, my hopes were not in vein. I’m talking, of course, about Full Focus CEO, Megan Hyatt Miller.

Her new book, cowritten with her father Michael Hyatt, is called Mind Your Mindset: The Science That Shows Success Starts with Your Thinking.

With the book, they pose the question, “Do you trust the voice in your head?”

Our brains are remarkable, no doubt. They subconsciously translate the events around us into meaningful storylines that inform what we think and how we live. The problem is, the stories our minds feed us as facts aren’t always true.

Worse, these stories turn into false beliefs about others, the world, and ourselves that keep us from our true potential.

These limiting beliefs confront us all. But what if you could harness your brain’s operating system to tell a new story? Not just any story. A true story that empowers you to overcome limitations and surpass your goals.

Drawing upon the latest insights in performance psychology, neuroscience, and cognitive science, as well as case studies from their own clients, Megan and her New York Times bestselling dad Michael Hyatt, outline a framework we can follow to test our own assumptions and start living better, truer stories that shape superior outcomes in business and life.

Intrigued? Click the play button below to learn more about Megan and her new book.

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466: Transform How You Talk, Listen, and Interact with Chuck Wisner

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If there’s one area everyone of us can improve in, it’s the area of communication. I’ve talked with dozens of communication experts over the years. And I’d put Chuck Wisner at the top of my list.

chuck wisner

His new book is called The Art of Conscious Conversations: Transforming How We Talk, Listen, and Interact.

The book is a practical guide for thoughtfully reflecting on conversations so we can avoid the common pitfalls that cause our relationships and work to go sideways. Chuck identifies four universal types of conversations and offers specific advice on maximizing the effectiveness of each:

  • Storytelling—Investigate the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves and others
  • Collaborative—Explore the way our stories and other people’s stories interact
  • Creative—See new possibilities and discover unforeseen solutions
  • Commitment—Make promises we know we can keep

These conversations unfold sequentially: our awareness of our and others’ stories transforms our ability to listen and collaborate, which opens our thoughts to creative possibilities, guiding us toward mindful agreements.

Our conversations—at home, at work, or in public—can be sources of pleasure and stepping-stones toward success, or they can cause pain and lead to failure. Wisner shows how we can form a connection from the very first conversation and keep our discourse positive and productive throughout any endeavor.

Intrigued? Click the play button below to learn more about Chuck and his new book.

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465: What to Say to Get Your Way with NYT Bestselling Author Jonah Berger

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At the beginning of this year, in Episode 456, I highlighted the six books I’m most looking forward to in the first half of 2023. I hope to feature all six here on the podcast. The first was featured in late January (Attention Span by Dr. Gloria Mark).

jonah berger

I’m excited to share that the second book on that list is being featured today. It’s from Wharton Professor Jonah Berger and is called Magic Words: What to Say to Get Your Way.

In Magic Words, Jonah gives you an inside look at the new science of language and how you can use it. Technological advances in machine learning, computational linguistics, and natural language processing, combined with the digitization of everything from cover letters to conversations, have yielded unprecedented insights.

You’ll learn how salespeople convince clients, lawyers persuade juries, and storytellers captivate audiences; how teachers get kids to help and service representatives increase customer satisfaction; how startup founders secure funding, musicians make hits, and psychologists identified a Shakespearean manuscript without ever reading a play.

This book is designed for anyone who wants to increase their impact. It provides a powerful toolkit and actionable techniques that can lead to extraordinary results. Whether you’re trying to persuade a client, motivate a team, or get a whole organization to see things differently, this book will show you how to leverage the power of magic words.

Intrigued? Click the play button below to learn more about Jonah and his new book.

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