Accelerate Your Performance

"Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity." — Nat Turner
That’s how our guest, Leader Coach Dr. JoAnn Sternke started today’s episode. Due to uncertainty and a rapidly changing external environment, leaders are being bombarded with questions. It's critical for us to respond with messages that are well-framed to enhance clarity, build trust, and reduce anxiety. On the other hand, poor communication can result in the exact opposite. Listen as JoAnn Sternke and our host Dr. Janet Pilcher discuss how we can deploy communication that’s consistent and reliable.

This episode addresses questions, such as:

• How can we instill confidence when we don’t have the answers?
• What are three keys to delivering a message that leads to execution?
• Where do we often go wrong with our communication?

Recommended Resources: Crisis Communication Toolkit, Key Words at Key Times for Resilient Leaders, Why Start with Why, & Model the Way by Managing Up

Recommended Podcasts Who Hears What When, Intentional Communication Starts with Why, Execute Well & Building Trust in the Workplace

We all have preconceived notions of what a CEO should look like, or act like. But the truth is, the best leaders have a variety of qualities and no two are the same. There is one thing successful leaders have in common: they are true to themselves. We have to know who we are as leaders, and most importantly, we have to know who we are not. In this episode, listen as Quint Studer and our host Dr. Janet Pilcher discuss why leadership is an inside job and how we can develop greater self-awareness to remove the baggage preventing us from becoming great leaders. 

This episode addresses questions, such as:

• How can we figure out who we aren't?
• What three tactics can we use to overcome self-doubt?
• What is really getting in our way as leaders?

You can hear more from Quint at our upcoming 2-day virtual conference, Destination High Performance Pensacola 2020. Day 1 will focus on leadership tips, tools and considerations, and Day 2 will focus on building a vibrant community. The event is scheduled for October 28th and 29th. Register for free now.

Recommended Resources: Be Yourself Everyone Else is Taken, Trust Consistency of Leadership, Collective Willpower to Succeed, Take a 360 Look, Strengths Reflection & Looking in the Mirror: Could I Be the Problem?

Related Podcasts: Inspire Others to Achieve, Listen for Ideas, Perspective, and Connection, The Behavior That’s Holding Leaders Back, Building Strong Leadership Teams & Developing People to Become the Best Leaders  

Feeling depleted is something many of us have probably experienced at some point during 2020. Maybe you’ve heard others you work with say they feel tired or burnt out. Can you relate? In the midst of COVID-19, a Presidential election, and racial tensions we face an ambiguous loss. We are not in control. There have been drastic changes to our way of life and what was familiar to us. In this episode, our Host Janet Pilcher shares reflections inspired by a recent article in Elemental, “Your Surge Capacity is Depleted—It's Why You Feel Awful” by Tara Haelle. Listen as Janet shares her candid thoughts and ideas to help leaders and their people to keep pressing on when it’s hard.

This episode addresses questions, such as:

• How can we move our minds to constructive thoughts when we feel depleted?
• What perspectives can help us manage feelings of despair?
• How can we strengthen relationships despite the challenges of social distancing?

Recommended Resources: Anxiety and Leadership, From Hopeless to Champion, “Your Surge Capacity is Depleted—It's Why You Feel Awful” & How Good Leaders Manage Anxiety

Recommended Podcasts: Leaders Don't Whine, Get Up Before You Fall Too Far, From Problem to Solution, & Identify Barriers to Change

It’s not easy when employees leave. Sometimes people leave to advance their careers in another organization. Sometimes they leave because we are forced to make layoffs. Other times, it may be because it's time to let a low-performer go. Whatever the reason, people are watching how leaders treat those who exit. In this episode, our Host Janet Pilcher and Quint Studer discuss how we can support people who leave and why it is so critical to set the right example for those who stay.  

This episode addresses questions, such as:

• What are some perspectives leaders should let go of around team members who leave?
• How should we handle letting a low-performing employee go?
• What are some ways we can help to maximize the potential of employees who seek opportunities for growth?

You can hear more from Quint at our upcoming 2-day virtual conference, Destination High Performance Pensacola 2020. Day 1 will focus on leadership tips, tools and considerations, and Day 2 will focus on building a vibrant community. The event is scheduled for October 28th and 29th. Register for free now.

Recommended Resources: Develop Aspiring Leaders, Low or Solid Performer?, The Hardest Decisions, & Looking in the Mirror: Could I Be the Problem?

Recommended Podcasts: The Behavior that’s Holding Leaders Back, Invest in and Empower Your Teams, Developing People to Become the Best Leaders & Be Bold About Action

We've finally reached the start of a new school semester and with that comes the execution of new plans. On today's episode, Studer Education Coach Dr. Melissa Matarazzo, and Studer Education Coach Dr. KK Owen, join Janet to discuss their perspective around returning to learn based on their experiences with school leaders across the country. While it will be essential to build confidence that students and employees are safe, we have to get back to our core business: student learning. 

This episode addresses questions, such as:

• What can we do to get students back on track to a positive learning trajectory?
• When changes occur quickly, how will we monitor and adjust?
• How can we stay focused on our goals and not get distracted?

Recommended Resources: Return to Learn: Organizational Excellence Execution and Improvement, Measuring What Matters, How Do We Know if it's an Improvement?, & Leader Action Planning with 30- 45- 60-Day Huddles 

Recommended Podcasts: Improve by Measuring What Matters, Who Hears What When?, Continuous Improvement: Where Do You Start? & Make Complex Work Simple 

At the beginning of any academic year, students, families, and school personnel experience an array of emotions. However we all know by now, 2020 has come with a unique set of challenges and emotions to manage. Today, Principal MaryJo Raczkowski-Shannon, describes the excitement students and teachers are feeling during their first week of re-opening Hunt Elementary School. In this episode, Janet and MaryJo discuss how her team built parent confidence and prioritized student and employee safety. 

This episode addresses questions, such as:

• How can we communicate with help parents to help them feel confident as children return to classroom learning?
• What actions can we take to build an engaged faculty, student, and parent culture?
• What are some ways we can show parents that safety measures are in place, to help build confidence?

Recommended Resources: Leading a Successful Reentry, Return to Learn, What the Best Leaders do to Communicate with Employees During Critical Times & Creating Unmistakable Value

Recommended Podcasts: Don’t Keep Your Customers in the Dark, Bringing an Executive Team Together, Transform Your Workplace, Who Hears What When? & Managing Fears to Build Momentum  

It seems right now there are no easy decisions. It's uncomfortable for us as leaders to be living in a place of uncertainty. But as today's guest explains, leadership isn't comfortable. When faced with a crossroads of choosing character over comfort, most leaders will say they choose character however, subconsciously we are often choosing comfort. In order to create better communities, we’ll need to embrace the discomfort of doing what’s right. Listen as Quint Studer and Dr. Janet Pilcher discuss examples of the subtle behavior of choosing comfort and what it takes for us to overcome it. 

This episode addresses questions, such as:

• Where are some common areas that we get stuck choosing what’s comfortable?
• How can we build the courage it takes to make decisions that stem from character, not comfort?  
• What’s at stake if we aren’t willing to embrace the discomfort of making the right decisions? 

You can hear more from Quint at our upcoming 2-day virtual conference, Destination High Performance Pensacola 2020. Day 1 will focus on leadership tips, tools and considerations, and Day 2 will focus on building a vibrant community. The event is scheduled for October 28th and 29th. Register for free now.

Recommended Resources: The Hardest Decisions, Decision-Making Confidence, Spinach in Your Teeth Messages: The Art of Giving (and Receiving) Honest Feedback & Eliminate We/They

Recommended Podcasts: Stop the Subconscious Behavior Infecting Your Organization, Low Performers: Who Are They?, Deliver Productive Feedback, Identify Barriers to Change & Be Bold About Action 

When Teachers, Principals, and Superintendents work together, every child has the best chance to be prepared for their future. In this episode, we hear a story that testifies the powerful role school personnel play in students’ success. Enga McClendon, a former teacher at N.B. Cook Elementary School, shares how two students overcame personal challenges and went on to graduate. Studer Education Leader Coach, Dr. KK Owen, Principal of N.B. Cook at the time, also joins us to share the impact this family had on her and how their experience taught KK to become a better leader.

This episode addresses questions, such as:

• Why is it necessary to be courageous and bold during difficult situations?
• How can we be more empathetic toward employees and those we serve?
• What does it look like to focus on what's best for families?

Recommended Resources: Why Service Excellence is Our Most Important Value, Connect to Purpose, The Impact of One & Improve Performance with Leader Led Conversations

Recommended Podcasts: Stories of Purpose P1, Stories of Purpose P2, Stories of Purpose P3, Lead with Courage, & Be Bold About Action

As we start to welcome students back to school, leaders are focused on how to help ease the anxieties of students and families. Dr. Michelle Rodriguez and her team at Pajaro Valley Unified School District have built systems and processes to do just that. This school district exemplifies how a heart service can help lead to swift, decisive action. Listen as Michelle and Janet discuss how a strong commitment to service has helped the district get ready for fall, enabling teachers and administration to serve their most vulnerable students.

This episode addresses questions, such as:

• How can leaders make decisions with confidence among uncertainty?
• How can we serve and advocate for our most vulnerable students? 
• What does a relentless commitment to service excellence look like in times of crisis?

Recommended Resources: Conversations with the Superintendent and Ask Dr. Rodriguez, Excellent Service from the Inside Out, Cascading the Building Blocks of Excellent Service, Exceed with Delight, & Accelerate Your Communication

Recommended Podcasts: Turn Ideas into Action, Start Talking to People, Intentional Communication Starts with Why, & Focus on the Positive 

Some leaders may find themselves agonizing over decisions that will impact students, families, and communities this fall. This is a time where there are no easy choices or decisions. Yet, when we collaborate with others, we can help ease the weight and also discover victories worth celebrating. In this episode, Dr. Tim Dilg, Superintendent of Valley Park School District in Missouri, shares how the district is accomplishing more by working together and stimulating positive thoughts and workplace culture. 

This episode addresses questions, such as:

• How can we initiate conversations with team members that convey empathy?
• What are some ways we can use technology to cope with the stresses brought on by COVID-19?
• What is a key ingredient for implementing a strategic vision that inspires and aligns individuals across an organization?  

 
Recommended Resources: Tips for Effective Listening with Teams, Listen Intently, Celebrate Wins that Matter, & Reward and Recognize

Recommended Podcasts: Increase Employee Engagement with Recognition, Make Recognition a Habit, & Leading Change with Empathy