Business is Human

"When we courageously stand tall in our stories and share them with the world or each other in some way, we give others permission, courage, whatever they need for them to then stand tall in their own stories."

In this episode of the Business is Human podcast, host Rebecca Fleetwood Hession sits down with Sarah Gormley, author of 'The Order of Things,' a memoir about chasing joy. Rebecca shares her personal excitement and emotional connection to Sarah's book, emphasizing the theme of detaching self-worth from career achievements. Rebecca and Sarah discussed the juxtaposition of business metrics and human needs, highlighting the importance of storytelling, vulnerability, and empathy in achieving better business outcomes and personal fulfillment. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to overcome struggles with self-worth and identity
• Redefining success beyond job titles and finding more joy in life
• Finding a meaningful career that aligns with your personal values

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(09:53) Breaking free from the corporate life

(11:19) Looking forward to the future

(12:14) Struggles of over-achieving women

(13:42) Why overachieving women tend to get stuck in a certain career path

(15:48) The toxicity of anchoring your identity to your job

(21:40) Empowering others by sharing your story

Connect with Sarah:

Website: http://www.sarahgormley.com

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scgormley/

Connect with Rebecca:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/

“It’s about owning and loving your story, no matter how challenging it might be."

In this episode of the Business is Human podcast, host Rebecca Fleetwood Hession sits down with Emmy-winning sports broadcaster, author, and keynote speaker Lauren Sisler. They discussed the importance of blending human needs with business strategies to achieve meaningful success. Lauren shares her poignant life story, highlighting her parents' tragic struggle with addiction and how it shaped her journey towards owning her story and helping others. Rebecca and Lauren emphasize the need to balance ambition with vulnerability, making intentional efforts to connect with others meaningfully. The conversation underscores the value of authenticity, overcoming shame, and finding purpose in personal and professional lives.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Embracing both the positive and negative aspects of your life experiences is essential
• Living with intention, celebrating small wins, and consistently seeking purpose are key to fulfillment
• Staying present and purposeful with your time is crucial to preventing burnout

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Understanding the Business is Human Framework

(06:08) How to set email boundaries and avoid burnout

(14:01) Lauren Sisler’s story of overcoming tragedy

(31:09) The unexpected journey of loss

(31:47) Inheriting shame and finding healing

(32:33) The seven-year transformation

(37:39) How to embrace faith and purpose

(38:43) The huge impact of sharing our stories

(51:47) The power of intentionality

(54:16) How to embrace redirection

Connect with Lauren:

Website: https://www.laurensisler.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensisler/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurensisler/?hl=en

Connect with Rebecca:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/

"Teaching leaders to care about their energy and its impact on others can link behavior to organizational outcomes."

In this episode of the Business is Human podcast, host Rebecca Fleetwood Hession sits down with Kristin Mackey, author of two books and thought leader on the principles of communication, energy management and transformation. Kristin talks about the significance of energy and frequency in fostering employee engagement and leadership. She shares insights from her books, discussing the role of cellular vibrations, human connection, and managing energy for better business outcomes. Rebecca and Kristin also explore the low employee engagement rates and the effective strategies to overcome this through understanding and improving personal and organizational energy.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Establishing a shared language around concepts like frequency and energy can create a cohesive work environment and overcome traditional engagement challenges
• Managing personal energy and frequency can have profound effects on leadership outcomes
• Focus on small, manageable changes (micro changes) to achieve substantial, overall transformation (macro transformation)

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Understanding the Business is Human Framework

(04:08) The importance of employee engagement

(06:21) How leaders can drive engagement through energy

(31:49) The decline in employee engagement

(35:34) The importance of internal service

(36:42) How to align with company values

(42:38) The importance of regulating the nervous system in leadership

(49:50) How to balancing being and doing

(54:41) The role of stillness in personal growth

(01:05:36) Micro changes for macro transformation

Connect with Kristin:

Website: http://frequencyMatters.org

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

Connect with Rebecca:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/

“Empathy isn't just about connecting with someone's feelings, it's about asking, 'What comes next?' without immediately jumping into fixing the problem.”

In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession and guest Liesel Mertes discuss the significant impact of empathy in the workplace and beyond. The conversation highlights how the industrial age has shaped our belief system and the critical need for a shift towards more human-centric skills in the age of artificial intelligence. Liesel also shares insights from her consultancy, Handle with Care Consulting, and introduces empathy avatars such as "Fix It Frank" and "Cheer Up Cheryl," illustrating practical tools for fostering trust and empowerment within teams.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The balance between technology's benefits and threats to human connection and empathy
• The detrimental effects of excessive technology use on children and how parents can proactively manage screen time
• The importance of creating safe, inclusive environments at work that foster empathy and its spillover into personal lives

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Do we need a workplace empathy consultant?

(01:19) The challenge of empathy in the workplace

(04:10) Creating a culture of trust and empathy

(09:52) Impact of technology on empathy

(20:00) Empathy in leadership and management

(27:44) Balancing empathy and productivity at work

(28:59) How to train managers for empathy

(31:43) Practical tips for empathetic listening

(45:29) Why empathy is crucial in business

Connect with Liesel Mertes:

Website: https://www.lieselmertes.com/

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

Connect with Rebecca:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/

"Everything good in life comes from a place of fear. Harnessing that energy can lead to positive change and growth."

In this episode of Business is Human, host Rebecca Fleetwood Hession sits down with Jackie Coffey, a real estate investor and entrepreneur, to explore the transformative power of fear and how it can be a catalyst for personal and professional growth. 

Jackie shares her compelling journey, sharing vivid anecdotes from her early days in real estate, including the FBI raid on her childhood home and the trials she faced while flipping her first house without any money, knowledge, or credit. She emphasizes the importance of perseverance and learning through trial and error, turning challenges into opportunities for success. Jackie’s reflections on her childhood, her mother’s resilience, and her own transformative experience at a skating competition show how fear can be harnessed for positive change and growth.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Fear is not an enemy but an energy that can drive you to success
• Rejection is a natural part of any journey, especially in business. When faced with setbacks, stay tenacious and keep knocking on doors until one opens
• Instead of seeing failures as endpoints, view them as beginnings that offer valuable lessons for future success

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Facing fear as a motivator

(06:34) The impact of childhood experiences on motivation

(11:21) How to overcome adversity and find success

(13:51) Harnessing fear and love in business

(21:20) How to start real estate business from scratch

(25:43) The power of authenticity in business

(26:30) From 201 no's to 1 yes

(38:43) Key insights for transforming challenges into triumphs

Connect with Jackie:

Website: https://www.jackiecoffey.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiecoffeyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiecoffey

Connect with Rebecca:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/

"Resistance to big ideas doesn't mean they're bad; it's often an indication of their significance."

In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession discusses the intricacies of embracing change, managing internal challenges, and the profound impact of authentic leadership with executive coach and best-selling author Adam Weber.

Adam Weber shares invaluable insights on tying storytelling to core values, overcoming insecurities, and the role of genuine leadership in professional growth. Rebecca and Adam discuss practical ways to integrate gratitude, self-reflection, and intentional relationships into a busy life while highlighting the importance of celebrating accomplishments and human motivation. Adam also offers actionable advice for HR professionals and executives on presenting innovative ideas confidently and embracing the nervousness that accompanies significant change.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Recognize that career journeys don’t have to follow a traditional path by being open to new opportunities and allowing curiosity to guide your decisions
• Embrace the significance of storytelling to connect with your team, make decisions tangible, and celebrate accomplishments
• Adopt a growth mindset by leaning into your vulnerabilities and seeking honest feedback for continual improvement

Things to listen for:

00:00 Intro

01:23 Meet Adam Weber

07:00 Managing inner critic and centeredness

19:00 The power of storytelling in leadership

22:37 Practical tips for leaders and HR professionals

36:03 Rebecca’s six takeaways

Connect with Adam:

Website: https://www.adamweber.co/

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

Connect with Rebecca:

https://linktr.ee/rebeccafleetwoodhessionauthor

"Businesses and work can be places of healing and transformation, not just places driven by profit."

In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession speaks with Cari and Matt Hahn  about the extraordinary power of faith, resilience, and trusting in God’s plan despite life’s uncertainties.

Cari shares her battle with cancer and her decision to rise as a "victor" despite the pain, and Matt talks about his journey with alcoholism and how that experience led him to help Christian men through a transformative program called Fight Club. Together, they discuss how healing, humility, and divine provision have led to their thriving business, Clutch and Kindle, which now gives back to breast cancer survivors and first responders.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The profound impact of faith and belief on personal and professional resilience
• How embracing and enduring pain can lead to personal development
• The importance of authenticity and purpose in business

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Redefining success in a post-2020 world

(04:27) Matt and Cari’s journey of pain and purpose

(06:18) How Clutch and Kindle started

(11:43) Matt's battle with alcoholism and redemption

(15:01) Carrie's struggle and triumph over cancer

(31:16) Starting the business from scratch

(32:31) The role of faith in business

Connect with Cari and Matt:

Website: https://www.clutchandkindle.com/

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

Connect with Rebecca:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/

"It's not just about the goals we set, it's about understanding who we set them for and why they truly matter."

In this episode of Business is Human podcast, host Rebecca Fleetwood Hession sits down with a career advisor and executive coach for women, Anne Shoemaker. She emphasizes the non-linear paths to success, the power of grace and humanity in the workplace, and practical steps for those contemplating career transitions. Anne also shared the impact of her sports background on her professional mindset, stressing the value of learning from both success and failure.

Tune in for an honest, uplifting conversation about bringing more humanity to the workplace, making genuine connections, and fostering a growth mindset.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Recognize that career journeys don’t have to follow a traditional path by finding inspiration and joy in your work to guide your decisions
• The importance of starting cannot be overstressed, as action leads to valuable data points and information that can help guide further steps
• Adopt a growth mindset and view failures as opportunities to learn by breaking down fears into smaller, manageable steps to make them less daunting

Things to listen for:
00:00 Intro

00:51 Meet Anne Shoemaker

02:02 Anne’s career journey and mentorship

04:03 Empowering women in their careers

04:55 The non-linear path to success

11:35 The role of failure in growth

15:43 Grace and humanity in business

24:33 Navigating career transitions

29:37 Dealing with failure and fear

32:32 Taking action and moving forward

Connect with Anne:

Website: https://anneshoemaker.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-shoemaker-greensboro/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/careeradvisoranne/

Connect with Rebecca:

https://linktr.ee/rebeccafleetwoodhessionauthor

“We get so in our heads that we lose connection with our bodies. We keep going, checking our emails, marking things off the list, and ignoring those purposeful nudges."

In this episode of the Business is Human podcast, Rebecca explores the transformative practice of a Monthly Clarity Day—essential for zooming out and gaining a broader perspective on both personal and professional life. 

Rebecca walks listeners through reflection exercises designed to reconnect with their feelings, acknowledge and act on inner nudges, and celebrate personal achievements. Additionally, she discusses the importance of releasing burdens, checking in on dreams, and practicing gratitude.

Tune in to learn actionable strategies for incorporating monthly reflection into your routine and discover how it can lead to significant positive shifts in your life and work.

In this episode, you’ll learn

• How dedicating time each month to reflect on key questions about yourself, your team, and your organization can help gain fresher perspective
• Acting on any internal nudges can lead to meaningful changes and personal growth
• Identifying activities and prioritizing can help maintain your emotional well-being and balance

Things to listen for:
00:00 Introduction to the episode
00:51 The importance of monthly clarity day
04:51 Reflection questions for personal growth
09:29 Celebrating your achievements
12:12 Letting go and embracing lightness
13:17 Receiving compliments and checking dreams
17:29 Soul food and stopping unnecessary actions
19:28 Connecting with loved ones
20:22 Conclusions

Connect with Rebecca:

https://linktr.ee/rebeccafleetwoodhessionauthor

"The magic happens when we stop trying to sell and start truly connecting. It's about showing up with a genuine desire to help and make a difference, rather than just closing a deal."

In this Business is Human episode, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession and Becky Beckman discuss the transformative power of a customer-focused approach, built on genuine connections and active listening. 

Rebecca and Becky share insightful anecdotes from their careers, emphasizing the importance of aligning personal energy with impactful contributions. Becky recounts her transition from an executive marketing role to a consulting sales role, highlighting her core philosophy of waking up every day with a mission to help someone.

Tune in to hear more about stepping outside comfort zones, taking risks, and cultivating a mindset focused on helping others—whether you're in sales, marketing, or any role that thrives on building meaningful relationships.

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• Understanding clients' needs and making genuine connections are crucial in the sales process
• Being aware of activities that energize or drain you greatly impact both your career and wellbeing
• Adopting a service mindset can greatly enhance your career satisfaction and impact

Things to listen for:

00:00 Introduction to the episode
05:37 Becky’s career transition and personal growth
09:26 Embracing change and finding impact
11:23 Active listening and helping mindset
25:07 Building a personal brand in a new market
28:30 Aligning with the right energy
30:31 The power of personal connection
33:47 Building trust through genuine interactions
38:46 Helping as a core value

Connect with Rebecca:

https://linktr.ee/rebeccafleetwoodhessionauthor