109: Self-Leadership Unlocked

109: Self-Leadership Unlocked

Welcome to "Soft Skills for Leaders," the podcast where we explore the critical skills needed for leadership.

In this insightful episode, we unlock the concept of self-leadership with the renowned Andrew Bryant, founder of Self Leadership International.

Join us as we delve into the essential elements of self-awareness, choice, intentionality, and the impact of emotional intelligence in today's rapidly changing world.

Andrew shares practical tips, personal anecdotes, and valuable insights from his book "The New Leadership Playbook," highlighting the need for self-love, humility, and the ability to empower others.

Discover how effective leaders transcend the need for external validation and empower their teams to take ownership. Explore the lessons learned during the pandemic, the importance of diverse perspectives, and the value of continuous personal and professional growth.

Tune in to gain valuable insights that will enhance your leadership skills and personal development.

Timestamps

00:00 Moving from physio and fixing people to peak performance.
06:11 Stoic philosophers ponder human essence in the AI era.
07:05 Incorporating humanity into AI algorithms is crucial.
12:07 Self-examination, acceptance and growth in life.
16:19 Self-leadership: knowing oneself and sharing the spotlight.
19:40 Delegate vision, trust delivery, equality in work.
23:08 Young and old leaders bring valuable perspectives.
24:56 Recognising limits, seeking guidance, learning from mistakes.
27:29 Checkmate reached in more moves, avoid tunnel vision.
30:33 Self-love opens you up and adds value.
34:56 Lead by example. Action separates the top 1%.

Why Listen?

Unlock your potential and enhance your leadership skills with Andrew Bryant's insights on self-leadership, bias, and personal growth in this episode of "Soft Skills for Leaders."

Talking Points

- Self-leadership is defined as intentionally influencing thinking, feeling, and actions
- Importance of self-awareness, choice, and intentionality in shaping our lives
- Challenges of overcoming societal systems that discourage independent thinking
- Value of humility, accountability, and deconstructing decisions to overcome biases
- Tips for developing self-leadership, including journaling, accountability, and self-care
- The importance of self-love and surrounding yourself with people who value you
- The New Leadership Playbook: focusing on self-leadership as a conversation
- The pandemic's impact on leadership, including the need to trust and empower teams

The Top 3 Takeaways

1. Self-leadership requires self-awareness, intentionality, and daily practice, intertwined with emotional intelligence as we intentionally influence our thinking, feelings, and actions towards our objectives.

2. Effective leadership involves empowering and encouraging others. It also necessitates engaging in dialogue, understanding individuals' needs, wants, and beliefs, and identifying blind spots.
3. Practical tips for developing self-leadership include journaling to capture internal narratives, having an accountability buddy or coach, and practising self-care and self-love. Also, learning from mistakes, deconstructing success, and seeking specific feedback are crucial elements of self-leadership.

Connect with Andrew Bryant

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewbryant/

Website: https://www.selfleadership.com

Connect with Lisa Evans

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaevansspeaker/

Website https://www.speakingsavvy.com.au

Ready to level up your speaking, presenting and business storytelling? Book a complimentary coaching session with Lisa here.

Your Host Lisa Evans is one of Australia’s leading Executive Public Speaking Coaches and Corporate Storytelling Trainers. If you would like help training your team in soft skills, public speaking and business storytelling, contact Lisa.

Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram

108: Building Resilient Teams

Welcome to "Soft Skills for Leaders," the podcast where we explore the critical skills needed for leadership.

In this episode, our host Lisa Evans sits down with resilience expert Michael Licenblat, author of "Pressure Proof," to delve into the importance of resilience in business.

Michael shares his journey of overcoming setbacks and rejection in building a successful natural therapy business, drawing from his background in psychology, shiatsu therapy, and martial arts.

Join us as Michael discusses the evolving challenges faced by leaders in a rapidly changing business landscape, emphasising the need for psychological safety, effective communication, and nurturing talent in teams.

We'll also explore the significance of self-care for resilient leaders, and Michael shares his recommendations for developing leadership skills, including resources for inspiration and personal growth.

Tune in as we uncover the key principles behind building resilient teams and discover valuable insights from Michael's experience. This episode is packed with practical tips and thought-provoking ideas to equip leaders with the skills needed to thrive in today's dynamic business environment.

Timestamps

00:00 Parents taught business, resilience; important in life.
06:42 Trust your gut: essential for success.
07:24 Stay resilient, trust yourself, and overcome challenges boldly.
10:28 Bounce back fast from setbacks and recover quickly.
14:59 Embed resilient practice in teams for success.
19:18 Leaders sustain energy and improve team effectiveness.
21:07 Loss of control during COVID-induced anxiety.
24:14 Work with high-performing teams under pressure.
27:17 Vocal, grounded entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk inspires listeners.
29:39 Comedy journey: resilience, rejection, perfecting material, persistence.
33:38 Visit bouncebackfast.com.au or pressureproofinstitute.com to start.

Why Listen?

In this episode, resilience expert Michael Licenblat offers practical tips for building resilient teams in today’s rapidly changing business landscape. Listeners will gain valuable insights on fostering psychological safety, sustaining talent, and developing critical leadership skills.

Talking Points

- Michael's journey of resilience in business, drawing on entrepreneurship, natural therapy, and martial arts.
- The evolving challenges in business, including AI, intellectual property theft, fake news, and influences.
- The importance of creating psychological safety in teams through honest feedback and coaching through change.
- The role of leaders in sustaining talent by managing individuals' energy and output.
- The crucial role of communication and emotional intelligence during times of major change.
- Resources for developing leadership skills, including podcasts and autobiographies.
- The relevance of stand-up comedians' resilience in their careers.
- Practical strategies for building resilient teams, such as repurposing pressure and fostering space for failure.

The Top 3 Takeaways

1. The importance of resilience in business: Michael Licenblat shares insights into the critical role resilience plays in navigating the rapidly changing landscape of business, particularly in the face of challenges such as AI, intellectual property theft, and fake news.

2. Strategies for building resilient teams: Listeners can gain valuable knowledge on developing resilient teams by focusing on skills such as decision-making, tenacity, empowerment, and coaching through change. This is essential for sustaining talent and encouraging growth in the face of adversity.

3. Resources for personal and professional development: Michael recommends resources such as Gary Vaynerchuk's podcast and autobiographies of comedians as tools for cultivating resilience and inspiration.

These takeaways provide actionable insights for leaders looking to enhance resilience and adaptability within their business or team.

Connect with Michael Licenblat

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaellicenblat/

Connect with Lisa Evans

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaevansspeaker/

Website https://www.speakingsavvy.com.au

Ready to level up your speaking, presenting and business storytelling? Book a complimentary coaching session with Lisa here.

Your Host Lisa Evans is one of Australia’s leading Executive Public Speaking Coaches and Corporate Storytelling Trainers. If you would like help training your team in soft skills, public speaking and business storytelling, contact Lisa.

Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram

107: Leading Through Connection with Paul Skewes

Uncover the essential human skills that drive exceptional leadership and discover the empowering impact of coaching on team development and capability improvement.

My guest is Paul Skewes who is a seasoned leadership development coach, and he partners with mid to senior-level leaders to enhance their leadership capabilities.

He brings a wealth of experience from working across various industries, particularly within the resources sector.

Paul is here to share his insights on the importance of essential leadership skills, the challenges leaders face, and how coaching can empower both leaders and their teams. So, let's dive into this insightful discussion with Paul Skewes.

Timestamps

00:00 Paul's Journey into the realm of leadership and coaching

05:01 Organisations are crazy busy, causing burnout.

08:50 Refocusing team vision to focus on what matters

12:47 Regular discussions and clear development goals.

16:04 Effective leadership needs time, compassion, and empathy.

19:35 Paul shares top three tips

24:43 Leadership challenges, support lacking, conflicting information.

27:18 Work demands cause burnout risk in organisations.

30:40 Attitude, listening, questioning, communicating - key leadership traits.

35:28 Regular meetings maintain mutual understanding and clarity.

39:48 Connection is crucial for teamwork.

41:31 Listen to your team and avoid one-sided meetings.

Why Listen?

Discover the essential human skills and impactful coaching strategies that can transform your leadership approach in this episode with Paul Skewes and Lisa Evans.

Talking Points

- Importance of human connection within team leadership
- Need for leaders to schedule regular time with their teams
- Collaborative approach to meetings with team members
- Emphasis on listening more and talking less during interactions
- Challenges of performing tasks leaders don't enjoy
- Importance of engaging with and understanding team members on an individual level
- The social process of leadership and its impact on team communication and engagement
- The value of coaching and its increasing role within companies

The top three takeaways from this episode are:

1. The importance of scheduling regular time with your team for quick check-ins and adopting a collaborative approach to meetings, focusing on listening more and talking less.
2. The value of caring, compassion, and empathy in approaching work and leading a team, and the significant impact it can have on team members.
3. The critical "soft skills" for great leadership, include the genuine desire for leadership, the ability to listen intently, and effective communication.

Connect with Paul Skewes

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulskewes/

Connect with Lisa Evans

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaevansspeaker/

Website https://www.speakingsavvy.com.au

Ready to level up your speaking, presenting and business storytelling? Book a complimentary coaching session with Lisa here.

Your Host Lisa Evans is one of Australia’s leading Executive Public Speaking Coaches and Corporate Storytelling Trainers. If you would like help training your team in soft skills, public speaking and business storytelling, get in touch with Lisa.

Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram

106: The Soft Skills of Outstanding Service Culture

I'm excited to bring this episode of Soft Skills for Leaders to you today.

My guest is Ron Kaufman, a global leader in the service industry and the author of "Uplifting Service". Ron is one of the world's foremost authorities on customer service, and building strong service cultures.

His expertise has been honed through years of working with various organisations, from facilitating international events to advising governments on improving their service culture.

Ron's insights are not to be missed, as he shares his wealth of knowledge on service excellence and leadership skills. It's a pleasure to have him here on Soft Skills for Leaders.

In this episode, Ron shares his insights on leadership, service excellence, and the power of caring for the future well-being of individuals and the environment.

From managing expectations and cultivating trust to the evolution of his brand moniker, "serve, care, love," Ron explores the emotional depth of empathetic care and the importance of creating value for both external and internal customers.

Join us as we delve into the essential soft skills leaders need, and discover how leaders can create oasis moments for their teams amidst overwhelming situations.

Timestamps

00:00 How Ron got started in this journey.
03:11 Promoting Ultimate Frisbee globally and learning about the different customers.
07:06 Creating value through service, internally and externally.
12:41 Apple store and Genius Bar create an experience.
14:54 Apple store purchase experience feels like the first time.
18:39 Create exceptional first-day experience for employees.
21:55 "Valuing creativity, innovation, and personal connections."
25:02 Service creates value by contributing to well-being.
28:29 Employee trust matters more than transparency.
30:03 Trust in competence, capacity, and care.
33:18 Recognise others' emotional needs, and be compassionate.
37:03 Create oasis moments to shift moods effectively.

Why Listen?

Ron Kaufman provides valuable insights and ways of enhancing service excellence, building trust, and creating a positive work culture.

By tuning in, leaders can gain an understanding of the importance of caring for the well-being of individuals and the environment, and learn practical soft skills for creating value and fostering strong relationships within their teams and with customers. You will gain actionable strategies to improve customer experiences, motivate your teams, and ultimately elevate your organisation's service culture.

Talking Points

🌐 Building Trust and Relationships: The significance of care and empathy in building trust, citing competence, capacity, and care as crucial factors. It's all about creating authentic partnerships and valuing the emotional character of every individual.

📈 Creating Value Beyond Expectations: The importance of going beyond standard service agreements and KPIs to create value for both external and internal customers. The examples shared demonstrate how small, thoughtful gestures can make a significant impact on employee well-being and the overall customer experience.

🎈 Uplifting Service and Emotional Connection: Ron Kaufman's concept of "uplifting service" emphasises taking actions to ensure the future well-being of others, encompassing financial, physical, emotional, and relational care. The discussion delves into creating oasis moments for teams and the emotional aspects of caring for others.

The top three takeaways from this episode are:

1. The importance of caring for the future well-being of individuals and the environment, and how this mindset should be integrated into leadership and business practices.
2. The concept of transparency in customer service, managing expectations, and the significance of creating a positive first impression for new employees.
3. Recognising the emotional character of every human being, understanding their feelings or values, and taking actions to create value for their well-being through concern and commitment.

Transform your leadership journey with the wisdom shared in this episode. Listen now to develop exceptional soft skills for exemplary service leadership.

Connect with Ron Kaufman

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronkaufman/

Website: https://www.ronkaufman.com

Connect with Lisa Evans

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaevansspeaker/

Website https://www.speakingsavvy.com.au

Ready to level up your speaking, presenting and business storytelling? Book a complimentary coaching session with Lisa here.

Your Host Lisa Evans is one of Australia’s leading Executive Public Speaking Coaches and Corporate Storytelling Trainers. If you would like help training your team in soft skills, public speaking and business storytelling, get in touch with Lisa.

Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram

105: From Uncertainty to Clarity: Managing Grey Area Behaviours

Welcome back to another episode of Soft Skills for Leaders! I'm your host, Lisa Evans, and today we have a very important and timely topic to discuss: "Grey Area Behaviour" in the workplace. Joining me today is Yhana Lanwin, the founder and CEO of Sans Prejudice Solutions, who brings a wealth of expertise in diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

In this episode, we delve deep into the world of grey area behaviours, those actions that aren't clearly right or wrong, acceptable or unacceptable. These behaviours can create discomfort, ethical dilemmas, and even serious issues in the workplace. As legislative changes require employers to provide a psychologically safe workplace, it's crucial for leaders to navigate these grey areas with finesse.

Yhana shares her expertise on the subject, highlighting the three common grey area behaviours: silence, uncertainty, and micromanaging. We explore the impact of uncertainty in the workplace and how leaders can address it through effective communication.

Timestamps

01:50 Concerned about a lack of change, a driving force for Yhana.

04:38 Defining black and gold behaviours to understand grey.

08:42 Acknowledge power, influence, and responsibility as leaders.

10:03 Consistency and listening are important for leaders.

16:34 Creating spaces for conversations, and training struggles to be effective.

19:06 Leaders need to prioritise psychological safety.Confidentiality, independent support, and trauma-informed responses are crucial.

23:23 Leaders can use system controls to address bias, discrimination, and mental health impact. Affordable online tools are now available.

25:35 Evaluation of biases through technology and self-awareness.

27:45 Emerging research database offers trends and they are free.

Why Listen?

Gain valuable insights on how grey area behavours can impact your team's morale, create ethical dilemmas, and even affect individual mental health. Discover practical strategies to navigate grey areas, foster psychological safety, and become a leader who thrives in the ever-changing landscape of modern leadership.

Talking Points

• Grey area behaviours: Complex workplace actions with ambiguous consequences.

• Leadership impact: Acknowledging influence and modelling positive behaviours.

• Psychological safety: Creating a safe and supportive work environment.

• Reporting processes: Clarity, confidentiality, and involving independent parties.

• Seeking outside help: Mediation and expert advice for challenging situations.

• Using technology: Tools to address bias and promote diversity.

• Creating a thriving culture: Routines, structured spaces, and open conversations.

The top three takeaways from this episode are:

1.

In this episode of Soft Skills for Leaders with host Lisa Evans and guest Yhana Lanwin, the top three takeaways are:

1. Grey area behaviours can create discomfort, ethical dilemmas, and issues in the workplace. Leaders need to be aware of these behaviours and address them to create a psychologically safe workplace.

2. Psychological safety: Leaders must prioritize psychological safety in the workplace. This means acknowledging their impact and influence, modelling appropriate behaviours, and creating a space where employees feel safe to speak up about any issues they may be facing.

3. Using technology for bias and discrimination: Leaders can utilise tools and technology to address bias and discrimination within their teams. Apps and tools can help assess gender-balanced language in job ads and identify subconscious bias. Seeking support from databases like Sage publications can provide valuable insights.

Quotes

Creating a Safe Space for Discussions: "It's around being able to create a space where if you can talk about small things, then you don't need to talk about big things."

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Connect with Yhana Lanwin

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yhanaduffy/

Connect with Lisa Evans

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaevansspeaker/

Website https://www.speakingsavvy.com.au

Ready to level up your speaking, presenting and business storytelling? Book a complimentary coaching session with Lisa here.

Your Host Lisa Evans is one of Australia’s leading Executive Public Speaking Coaches and Corporate Storytelling Trainers. If you would like help training your team in soft skills, public speaking and business storytelling, get in touch with Lisa.

Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram