A Leadership Beyond

For this week's conversation, you are invited to embark on a captivating journey with Jill Valdez as she shares her remarkable transition from full-time ministry to the world of senior care, complemented by a pursuit of an MBA to bridge the gap between non-profit and for-profit management. Today, her unwavering focus lies in serving executives within senior care facilities, recognizing the pivotal role of a people-centric strategy in sustaining such vital institutions.

In our conversation, Jill's profound insights highlight the essential connection between a winning business strategy and a robust people strategy, emphasizing that removing the latter negates the very essence of "care" in senior care facilities. Her story unfolds with openness and vulnerability, showcasing resilience drawn from a deep well of purpose. The following quote is her response to the emotional experience of loss of a job:

"I can step away from this and move on to this. And it doesn't change my identity. It simply changes how I'm living it out, and, and what that looks like on a day-to-day basis. And I think that the core of resilience is being able to say, no matter what, it doesn't change who I am. Because my purpose hasn't changed, and who I am hasn't changed."

Jill's wisdom shines through as she shares practical tips:

• Navigate setbacks by taking a step back, reflecting on your identity, and asking, "What's next?"
• Embrace continuous anticipation of what lies ahead in our rapidly changing landscape.
• Grant executives the space to lead with compassion, acknowledging the inseparable link between personal and professional lives.
• Prioritize organizational health beyond mere efficiency, emphasizing pillars like Communication, Cohesion, Clarity, and Consistency.
• Cultivate a mindset of curiosity, fostering healthy conflict resolution and embracing individual, team, and organizational needs.

Don't miss the full interview with Jill, a testament to the power of purpose, resilience, and the intrinsic connection between business success and human-centric strategies.

Stay tuned for more enriching episodes from the Leadership Beyond community, where we champion the integration of humanity into every aspect of our business endeavors.

A Leadership Beyond is led by Change Management Consultant Adrienne Guerrero and Leadership Communication Strategist Tom Rosenak, and exists to support the alignment between business strategy and people strategy - to drive results with people not at the expense of people (Talent Optimization).

Subscribe to our podcast to join the Leadership Beyond Community of Conversation and hear insights from thought leaders and human development experts leading the way in the field of Talent Optimization. As always, we'd love to hear from you about your insights, challenges, and successes around leading (self and others) through transitions.

To learn more visit https://aleadershipbeyond.com.

"For me, the wheels came off during the pandemic…"

Who else can relate to that? I know those of us at A Leadership Beyond sure can. It's what led us to create this community… but you already know that story.

That is the initial prompt that led our friend and colleague Matt Poepsel on a journey that culminated into his recently released book Expand the Circle: Enlightened Leadership for Our New World of Work.

In this week's episode we interview Matt and discuss his new book.

Matt's Buddhism practice inspired a look-back to ancient philosophical leadership alongside a deep study of business methodologies to build his enlightened approach to leadership, where we abandon the ego to consider the broader world and humanity in the way we lead ourselves, our people, our organizations, and ultimately the world.

An enlightened leader, as Matt describes it, is one who has gone beyond outdated leadership attitudes and beliefs – in other words, focusing only on the financial bottom line. This won't cut it anymore – people are demanding their work serve a higher, more important, purpose. Enlightened leaders want and see the need for something bigger than ourselves. We're starting to see evidence in business that this evolution has begun and enlightened leaders are on the path to shift this thinking in a big way.

In his book, Matt provides a framework that can be visualized with circles. The premise: while it's essential that we begin focusing beyond ourselves and our organizations, we must begin within ourselves. The difference from traditional leadership is that with enlightened leadership, we are leading ourselves for the purpose of serving others and beyond others, serving the world (and even universe?) at large.

Listen to this episode for a more detailed review with Matt and practical advice to begin your own journey to enlightened leadership.

We're so grateful to Matt for spending time talking with us and sharing himself with our community. We're sure you'll be inspired and want more – lucky us, Matt has given so much more for us to delve into!

A Leadership Beyond is led by Change Management Consultant Adrienne Guerrero and Leadership Communication Strategist Tom Rosenak, and exists to support the alignment between business strategy and people strategy - to drive results with people not at the expense of people (Talent Optimization).

Subscribe to our podcast to join the Leadership Beyond Community of Conversation and hear insights from thought leaders and human development experts leading the way in the field of Talent Optimization.

As always, we'd love to hear from you about your insights, challenges, and successes around leading (self and others) through transitions.

To learn more visit https://aleadershipbeyond.com.

We are hearing the clarion call for a new model of leadership in this age of unprecedented change.

In our latest conversation Marika Messager shares her early experience as a young woman, working in the toxic, fast-paced, male dominated financial services industry. Her first experiences of questioning the root causes of toxicity were about her personal survival in a difficult world.

Through her experiences, she came to understand that we needed a new paradigm of leadership based on different values of co-creation of understanding of inclusion, acceptance, compassion and collaboration.

Marika is one of the pioneers of Conscious Leadership, which is now becoming more and more a topic of discussion. Ten years ago, before it was generally understood, Marika began really unpacking what it means to be a conscious leader and how do we create conscious leaders one at a time?

In this riveting conversation, Marika brought forth a thought-provoking dialogue that underscored the importance of considering the topics discussed and the value of active listening. Her insights and perspectives hold significant value for both the individual leader's development, the organization, and society, making this interview a valuable source of individual inspiration, reflection, and conversation with those you touch.

A few highlights:

- Marika's compelling perspective on environmental conservation stressed the urgency of adopting sustainable practices and individual responsibility, emphasizing the broader impact on the planet and future generations.

- Her personal journey, marked by milestones and challenges, offered a powerful testament to the transformative power of resilience and determination.

- Marika's current projects and initiatives, aimed at making a positive societal impact, served as a call to action for those looking to effect positive change in their communities.

- Her discussion on the evolving landscape of technology and its societal implications sparked a deeper consideration of the choices and consequences that accompany technological advancements.

- The interview's optimistic conclusion, where Marika expressed hope for a brighter and more sustainable future, underscored the collective power of informed decisions and active engagement, highlighting the interview's overall value in inspiring meaningful change.

To learn more about Marika Messager and her work visit https://consciousleadership.org

To connect with Marika on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/conscious-leadership-coaching-consulting.

A Leadership Beyond is led by Change Management Consultant Adrienne Guerrero and Leadership Communication Strategist Tom Rosenak, and exists to support the alignment between business strategy and people strategy - to drive results with people not at the expense of people (Talent Optimization).

Subscribe to our podcast to join the Leadership Beyond Community of Conversation and hear insights from thought leaders and human development experts leading the way in the field of Talent Optimization.

As always, we'd love to hear from you about your insights, challenges, and successes around leading (self and others) through transitions.

To learn more visit https://aleadershipbeyond.com.

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." -Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein's quote above might lead one to believe that he possessed only a modicum of talent. However, history tells us a different story, as he was undoubtedly a genius in his own right. Nevertheless, the extent of our inherent talent is something we cannot control. What we can control, though, is how we harness and manifest our talents in our professional endeavors.

As certified Predictive Index partners, our hosts Adrienne and Tom underscore the paramount significance of valuing every individual's unique talent while recognizing our shared humanity. They are experts in the realm of talent optimization, and their expertise empowers us all to unlock our full potential and collaborate more effectively by leveraging our distinct strengths.

Adrienne and Tom's insights illuminate the path toward personal and collective growth, reminding us that even without possessing Einstein's level of talent, we can still excel and thrive in our respective domains.

In this episode, we dive into the remarkable journey of Diane Kubal, the founder of Fulcrum Network and a longtime friend of our community. Early in her career, Diane's frustration with sales led her to an extraordinary revelation about her innate talents. She possessed a natural gift for networking and an insatiable curiosity about people's endeavors. Diane harnessed these talents to secure a job and eventually built a thriving business rooted in her passion for learning, development, and connecting people.

Fulcrum Network, the brainchild of Diane's vision, assembles diverse talents to solve complex business challenges. But Diane's journey does not stop there. She continues to reinvent her business, guided by the same unwavering passion and strength. Her profound curiosity about people and their struggles, coupled with her keen listening skills, unveiled a new opportunity.

Today, Fulcrum Network is at the forefront of supporting consultants, trainers, and coaches in adapting their wealth of knowledge and experience to the digital landscape of modern learners. Through gamification, social communities, written feedback, and more, Diane's team empowers professionals to create engaging blended learning experiences that connect with their audiences to learning in new ways. They are helping business leaders rethink their employee learning strategies as well as enabling consultants to revolutionize their delivery models.

Diane's journey exemplifies how a profound love for people and the ability to connect can lead to unexpected and extraordinary pathways. Join us as we explore her inspiring story and the fascinating world of talent, curiosity, and passion.

To learn more about Fulcrum Network's services, check out the links below to Diane's current programs:

www.fulcrumnetwork.com/transformed-learning

https://fulcrumnetwork.com/modernmanagersseries-2023

To connect with Diane, reach out to her at [email protected] or connect with her on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/dianekubal.

A Leadership Beyond is led by Change Management Consultant Adrienne Guerrero and Leadership Communication Strategist Tom Rosenak, and exists to support the alignment between business strategy and people strategy - to drive results with people not at the expense of people (Talent Optimization).

Subscribe to our podcast to join the Leadership Beyond Community of Conversation and hear insights from thought leaders and human development experts leading the way in the field of Talent Optimization.

As always, we'd love to hear from you about your insights, challenges, and successes around leading (self and others) through transitions.

To learn more visit https://aleadershipbeyond.com.

This week's episode aims to connect with the A Leadership Beyond community shortly after launching our Leadership Resilience Research Project.

We're excited about the insightful responses we've received on our Leadership Resilience Research from early participants.

It's a lot to ask, we get it! And we are confident it's worth it! We acknowledge that some of our trusted community members have committed to the self-evaluation but haven't had the 20 minutes needed for thorough self-reflection. We get it! Asking for 20 minutes is a lot.

This situation underscores one of the fundamental principles guiding our initiative: Advancing leadership to the next level requires creating room for reflection in a landscape filled with competing priorities and constant demands.

Simply put, we aren't committed to filling our own cups first and making time for our development.

We hope the insights shared in this episode will encourage you to participate, both to gain self-awareness and add your insights to our research so we can fine-tune the events, interviews, and support that we plan in the future.

To learn more about how you can benefit and participate in the research, visit the research page on our website at https://aleadershipbeyond.com/a-leadership-beyond-research-initiative/. We will keep you updated as the results flow in and as always welcome any questions or comments from you.

A Leadership Beyond is led by Change Management Consultant Adrienne Guerrero and Leadership Communication Strategist Tom Rosenak, and exists to support the alignment between business strategy and people strategy - to drive results with people not at the expense of people (Talent Optimization).

Subscribe to our podcast to join the Leadership Beyond Community of Conversation and hear insights from thought leaders and human development experts leading the way in the field of Talent Optimization.

As always, we'd love to hear from you about your insights, challenges, and successes around leading (self and others) through transitions. To learn more visit https://aleadershipbeyond.com.

In this inspiring conversation with Sherry Winn, a remarkable two-time Olympian, National Basketball Coach of the Year, and three-time bestselling author on Amazon, we delve into the profound lessons she has learned on her leadership journey.

Sherry's life began in a challenging environment, filled with dysfunction and bullying, but she refused to let adversity define her. She persevered, not only becoming an Olympian but also a world-renowned coach, author, and motivational speaker.

Sherry's story is a testament to the power of inner resilience. She urges us to consider how we respond to adversity, what we can learn from it, and who we can become through persistence. Leadership resilience, she emphasizes, is primarily an inner game. During our conversation, Sherry shares valuable insights on resilience.

Join us in the Winner's Circle with Coach Sherry Winn as she dedicates her life and work to teaching, guiding, and empowering others.

For more inspiration and information, visit Sherry's website https://www.thewinningleadershipcompany.com/.

Discover how to overcome setbacks, thrive in the face of adversity, and become a resilient leader by tuning in to this compelling conversation with Sherry Winn.

A Leadership Beyond exists to support the alignment between the business strategy and people strategy - to drive results with people not at the expense of people (Talent Optimization).

Subscribe to our channel to join the Leadership Beyond Community of Conversation and hear insights from thought leaders and human development experts leading the way in the field of Talent Optimization. You can find us at https://aleadershipbeyond.com/.

As always, we'd love to hear from you about your insights, challenges, and successes around leading (self and others) through transitions.

Building a leadership beyond is a holistic process. It requires nurturing our own growth while also fostering the growth of those we work with. We recognize and honor both our uniqueness and our shared humanity.

Joining us in this episode is Bryan Sykes, a healthcare professional, neurobiologist, and martial artist working at the 4-way intersection of people, science, technology, and business to support human thriving.

Bryan shares his journey of exploring performance enhancement and how the realm of athletics emerges as an illuminating beacon. It is within this arena that the principles of performance management truly come to life, offering invaluable insights that can be applied to our VUCA corporate reality.

Bryan's upcoming book, "Retooling and Refueling," is a work poised to offer a wealth of wisdom. As we eagerly await its release, Bryan shares some practical gems designed for high-performing individuals in the business arena.

A Leadership Beyond exists to support the alignment between the business strategy and people strategy - to drive results with people not at the expense of people (Talent Optimization).

Subscribe to our podcast to join the Leadership Beyond Community of Conversation and hear insights from thought leaders and human development experts leading the way in the field of Talent Optimization.

As always, we'd love to hear from you about your insights, challenges, and successes around leading (self and others) through transitions.

Assessing the true quality of a leader can often be challenging. However, during a crisis, their true capabilities surface.

The co-founders of this community emphasize the value of "bringing your whole self to work, engaging your head, heart, and briefcase."

Without a doubt this week's guest, Dr. Tim Arnold earned his position as Superintendent of Will County District 92 through his intelligence and impeccable credentials. Adrienne Guerrero, a parent with two grade school daughters in the district, often praised Tim's exceptional communication skills and reassuring demeanor, especially during times of unprecedented challenges faced by the school system.

We were thrilled when Dr. Arnold agreed to engage in a conversation, granting us a glimpse behind the curtain to discover some of the key leadership principles that shape his philosophy.

We are confident you will find the same benefits from listening to this interview as we did while conducting it.

To see Dr. Tim Arnold's leadership in action, visit the Will County District 92 website at www.d92.org. Connect with Tim directly on LinkedIn.

A Leadership Beyond exists to support the alignment between the business strategy and people strategy - to drive results with people not at the expense of people (Talent Optimization).

Subscribe to our podcast to join the Leadership Beyond Community of Conversation and hear insights from thought leaders and human development experts leading the way in the field of Talent Optimization.

As always, we'd love to hear from you about your insights, challenges, and successes around leading (self and others) through transitions.

"Everybody is experiencing the same thing only differently."

-Adrienne Guerrero, Co-Founder A Leadership Beyond

Our community of conversation has had the privilege to engage in dynamic conversation with remarkable thought leaders, even during one of the most challenging business environments in history. We hope you find these conversations as enjoyable to listen to as we find them rewarding to facilitate.

Through our interactions, we have noticed patterns and gained valuable insights into the barriers that often hinder the execution of our best personal and professional transformational ideas. It would be redundant to list all the challenges faced by leaders from various directions. We recognize that the runway is turbulent, messy, and filled with competing intentions, leaving leaders with limited bandwidth for thoughtful action.

We have stories to share, and we believe you do too. Our goal is to keep the conversation flowing! However, we acknowledge that our observations have been largely anecdotal, and we feel that YOUR experiences may be missing from the mix.

Leadership Resilience Research – Building leadership resilience in a VUCA reality (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous)

You're Invited! Before we can build sustainable strategies, it is essential to understand the current situation, the desired situation, and the perceived gap between them. We are seeking data from your experience. (Held confidential unless you give explicit permission otherwise.)

Our target audience: This research is targeted at individuals who are responsible for others, ranging from team leads with one direct report to C-level executives accountable for the people within their entire enterprise.

What does it take to participate?

We are requesting 20-30 minutes of your focused time and thought to complete a survey. The questions we present require reflection on your personal experiences, professional wishes, and feelings. Yes, the activity is more than a few mindless questions that you can fill out quickly between meetings.

But, wait…we think it's worth it to you as much as it is to us!

What's in it for you?

We are aware of that sinking feeling, OH, NO, not another survey! We believe that the time you spend participating in this survey will return immediate valuable insight into areas that require greater attention or a shift in focus (at least, that's what we heard from our pilot participants).

And, more than that, here are the details:

• You will receive a detailed personal report, along with a short video that will help you interpret your results effectively.

• You will be invited to optional live community conversations where we will delve into our findings and extract common themes about leaders' challenges.

• Once we conclude the data-gathering phase of this project, we will publish the findings in comprehensive reports, articles, and interviews.

• We will provide follow-up summaries, webinars, and other activities and events that we believe will be beneficial based on the results. This will provide multiple opportunities to bring your specific expertise into the conversation.

The primary conversation we have is with ourselves. We don't speak for you, but confess that our own inner conversations are often noisy and conflicted. We imagine that you might be feeling the same. Taking time to zoom out and think strategically adds value and clarity. It's a solo activity that often requires a group effort to feel motivated to make the commitment. We hope to bring that to you with this research participation.

We are confident that your participation will benefit you in your quest to become the best leader you can be. We are hopeful you will make space to participate and have YOUR voice in the leadership mix.

Ready to join us?

Click this link to sign up to participate. We will be sending instructions in early July when we officially launch.

If you have any questions before signing up, please contact us at [email protected].

A Leadership Beyond exists to support the alignment between the business strategy and people strategy - to drive results with people not at the expense of people (Talent Optimization).

Subscribe to our podcast to join the Leadership Beyond Community of Conversation and hear insights from thought leaders and human development experts leading the way in the field of Talent Optimization.

As always, we'd love to hear from you about your insights, challenges, and successes around leading (self and others) through transitions.

"The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -George Bernard Shaw

Our community of conversation seeks guests with unique style and perspective, who also share our core values – people first, effective communication as the key to leading transformational change, and that change is not an event or project but rather an ongoing leadership responsibility. To quote Aristotle, "all communication must lead to change."

This week we enjoyed the energy and insight of Ben Baker, who after years of applying his communication skills in high-tech sales and direct mail, ultimately turned his attention to supporting companies with their internal communications. Of course, we learn of this transition through story, as Ben discovered his Ikigai was not only storytelling but enabling and empowering others to tell their story.

Tune in to this engaging conversation with Ben. We are hopeful you will find this conversation as meaningful as we did.

A Leadership Beyond exists to support the alignment between the business strategy and people strategy - to drive results with people not at the expense of people (Talent Optimization).

Subscribe to our podcast to join the Leadership Beyond Community of Conversation and hear insights from thought leaders and human development experts leading the way in the field of Talent Optimization.

As always, we'd love to hear from you about your insights, challenges, and successes around leading (self and others) through transitions.