Why do we so often work incredibly hard without seeing the results we want?   

The answer lies not in our effort, but in how we design that effort. 

Drawing from an insightful MIT Sloan Management Review study on leadership development programs, this episode reveals 3 critical mistakes that prevent both organizations and individuals from achieving meaningful growth. These same principles explain why many of us struggle to reach personal and professional goals despite genuine commitment. 

The first fatal flaw?... tune in to find out!  

With this powerful framework you'll ensure your valuable time and energy create the future you truly desire, rather than simply keeping you busy with tasks that ultimately lead nowhere.  

Are you just doing things, or are you designing efforts that add up to something meaningful?  

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Brought to you by Angela Shurina

Behavior-First Change Leadership & Culture Transformation Consultant
EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

Feeling lost in the noise of a hyper-connected world? Too many things to do, to learn, to try, and seems like every place is taken and everything you want to do is done?  

Actually, it's the best time to be uniquely you!  

The secret to standing out in a noisy world isn't shouting louder, it's communicating clearer.  

Be different.  

This podcast is about HOW to actually do it.  

What makes you uniquely you in a sea of sameness?  

When everyone shares similar titles, credentials, or designations, how do you differentiate yourself?  

This question plagues professionals across industries, from coaches and consultants to leaders and entrepreneurs. The answer lies not in what you call yourself, but in how you do things - your unique approach, methodology, and perspective.  

Your uniqueness is born from your experiences, that beautiful tapestry of life events, challenges overcome, and lessons learned that no one else can precisely replicate. Just as two cups may serve the same function yet carry entirely different stories, two professionals sharing the same title can operate in completely different universes. The key is identifying and clearly articulating what sets you apart.  

This episode offers 5 transformative questions to help you discover your edge.  

Take out your journal, pause after each question, and discover what makes you not just another "generic white cup," but a distinctive offering that the right people will seek out with confidence. Because in a world where everything seems connected and available, the winners will be those who know how to communicate their difference clearly.  

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Brought to you by Angela Shurina

Behavior-First Change Leadership & Culture Transformation Consultant
EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

We're obsessed with outcomes but rarely talk about the engine that creates them: consistent, tracked actions.  

This transformative episode challenges the magical thinking around results. Every meaningful change, from fitness transformations to business growth to cultural shifts, follows the same fundamental principle.  

Results aren't random; they're mathematical.  

The episode explores how this principle applies across domains: business leaders tracking client conversations rather than just hoping for growth; cultural transformation requiring observable behavior changes; health improvements demanding sustainable daily practices. We examine how the "repeatable" aspect is often overlooked, causing initially successful changes to fail when they prove unsustainable. Most importantly, we discuss how to ensure your aspirations align with the level of reps you're willing to perform - Olympic medals require Olympic-level inputs.  

Ready to transform wishful thinking into predictable results?  

Tune in!  

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Brought to you by Angela Shurina

Behavior-First Change Leadership & Culture Transformation Consultant
EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

Ever wonder why diets fail, business strategies collapse?  

The answer lies not in the approach itself, but in how we think about implementing change.  

Thinking in first principles, Elon Musk's favorite mental model that helped him build seemingly impossible businesses, transforms how we approach challenges across all domains.  

When we stop following rules and shortcuts we don't understand and instead dig into the foundational elements of how things actually work, we create sustainable systems that adapt as our lives evolve.  

Consider the difference between "thinking in diets" versus "thinking like a nutritionist."  

The former might lead you to cut carbs without understanding their crucial role in brain function, hormone regulation, and overall health. The latter empowers you to make informed decisions based on your unique biology, lifestyle, and goals.  

This same principle applies whether you're building a business, improving relationships, or transforming your fitness.  

That's why personalized coaching works so effectively, it combines foundational principles with your specific context, strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. Generic advice from the internet or social media can't account for your unique circumstances. Even advanced AI tools lack the lived experience necessary to fully grasp what implementation looks like in your particular life.  

Ready to transform your thinking and create lasting change diet or business?  

Tune in today! Grow into a better thinker.  

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Brought to you by Angela Shurina

Behavior-First Change Leadership & Culture Transformation Consultant
EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

Imagine organizations where relationships aren't just an afterthought but the foundation of everything. Where performance, innovation, and well-being flow naturally from meaningful human connections. That's the transformative vision Bryan shares in this profound conversation.

Drawing from 30 years of talent management experience across five continents, Bryan reveals why focusing on relationships is the key to thriving workplaces.

He makes a compelling case backed by science: "If anything you can die from, you die earlier if you're lonely." This biological imperative for connection extends directly to our work lives, where relationship quality determines everything from stress levels to problem-solving capacity.

Bryan introduces his framework of four crucial organizational relationships: employee-employee, leader-employee, leader-leader, and company-employee.

Each requires specific attention and nurturing to create environments where self-serving behaviors diminish and collaborative success flourishes. He explains why culture isn't something we directly fix but rather an outcome of our actions and relationships – similar to how winning emerges from proper execution, not from talking about winning.

The conversation explores practical ways leaders can strengthen workplace relationships, from structured communication approaches that confirm understanding beyond simple head nods, to implementing the "relationships matter most" mindset inspired by John Gottman's research. Bryan offers immediately actionable advice: maintain a 5:1 ratio of positive to negative interactions, and always focus on commonality before differences.

Perhaps most powerfully, Bryan emphasizes service as the cornerstone of thriving organizations. When we approach work with a mindset of serving our teams, our functions, and our organizations before ourselves, we create cultures where people find meaning, purpose, and fulfillment – and where business results naturally follow.

Ready to transform your workplace culture through the power of relationships? 

isit Brian's website at bshtalentsolutions.com to learn more about his approach or purchase his book "Relationship Driven Cultures: Foster Unity, Enrich Self-Worth, and Build Resilience."

___________________

Bryan Miller BIO:

Bryan brings nearly 30 years of talent management experience, serving as both head of talent management and a trusted consultant to small businesses, nonprofits, and Fortune 200 companies across five continents.  

Known for his innovative, relationship-focused approach, he helps organizations strengthen cultures, align strategies, and drive performance from the front line to the C-suite.

He has built talent functions from the ground up, led major change and project management initiatives, and consistently empowered teams through collaboration, development, and shared purpose.

Bryan holds a BS in Business Administration from Penn State and an MS in Positive Organization Development and Change from Case Western Reserve. He has completed executive programs at Harvard and MIT and is certified in numerous assessments that guide his work in improving individual and team effectiveness.

Bryan lives in Westerville, Ohio, with his wife, Sherri, and daughter, Hannah.

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Brought to you by Angela Shurina

Behavior-First Change Leadership & Culture Transformation Consultant
EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

Ever feel trapped in a cycle of perpetual busyness?  

Wonder why, despite your best efforts, you never seem to have enough time to create better time management systems? The answer lies in what behavioral scientists call "the scarcity tunnel", a fascinating cognitive phenomenon that explains why the busier we get, the worse we become at managing our time. 

When we're short on time, our brains enter a survival mode where only immediate tasks matter. Like a jar filling with pebbles, each small task occupies precious mental space, leaving no room for strategic thinking or system-building. This creates a cruel paradox: precisely when we most need innovative solutions to our time problems, we're least equipped to develop them. 

This episode dives deep into the science of scarcity and its impact on decision-making.  

You'll discover why even intelligent, capable people make shortsighted choices under pressure, and how this affects everything from financial decisions to daily time management. More importantly, you'll learn the counterintuitive step required to break free from this cycle, deliberately setting aside time for strategic thinking when you feel you have none to spare.  

Your calendar doesn't lie; it reflects where your life is heading. By understanding the psychology behind time scarcity and implementing the practical strategies shared in this episode, you can escape the tunneling effect and build systems that create more meaning, impact, and fulfillment.  

Don't just survive each day - design a life you'll be proud to look back on.  

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Brought to you by Angela Shurina

Behavior-First Change Leadership & Culture Transformation Consultant
EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

Willpower is a lie that's been sold to us for generations.

The truth?  

Even Elon Musk doesn't wake up every morning relying on "discipline" to build rockets and trillion-dollar companies. Something far more powerful is at work.  

Gamification expert Yu-kai Cho has identified 8 core drivers that move humans to action. This stuff make us want to do hard things consistently without the struggle of forcing ourselves through sheer willpower. When Yukai needed to write his book despite a packed schedule, he didn't set calendar reminders or try to "be more disciplined." Instead, he used used 8 core drivers to make doing irresistible.  

The research is clear: willpower depletes quickly.  

Even simple choices between cookies and carrots drain our mental resources. But by designing your environment, schedules, and processes to activate your unique motivational drivers, you transform difficult tasks from obligations into engaging challenges you actually want to pursue. This isn't just theory, it's the hidden mechanism behind every significant achievement and consistent behavior change.  

Tune in - let's learn to push our buttons to win the game of life 🕹️  

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Behavior-First Change Leadership & Culture Transformation Consultant
EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

Ever feel like you're constantly busy but not making real progress toward what matters most?  

That's the frustration horizon planning solves.  

Your time is the only truly finite resource you have, 24 hours a day that, once spent, you never get it back. While the demands and options competing for your time multiply endlessly.  

Without a clear framework connecting your daily actions to your life's purpose, even the most productive days can leave you feeling empty.

Introducing Horizon Planning Methodology.  

Horizon planning creates that vital connection, working from your highest vision down to your daily calendar. Based on David Allen's Getting Things Done methodology but simplified for practical application, this system starts with your "North Star", identifying your purpose, principles, and the person you aspire to become. From there, it cascades through progressively shorter timeframes: your 3-5 year vision, 1-2 year goals, short-term projects, and finally, your daily actions.  

The magic happens when these levels align.  

Decision-making becomes faster and less stressful. Saying yes or no to opportunities feels clear rather than guilt-inducing. Most importantly, your limited time builds toward something meaningful instead of evaporating on endless urgent-but-unimportant tasks.  

Ready to eliminate overwhelm and create more impact with your limited time?  

Download our free horizon planning worksheet HERE and schedule your first planning session. Your future self, looking back on a life of purpose and meaningful achievement, will thank you.  

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Brought to you by Angela Shurina

Behavior-First Change Leadership & Culture Transformation Consultant
EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

What truly determines success in creating lasting change?

Contrary to popular belief, it's not motivation, willpower, or even your inherent abilities. The research reveals something far more fundamental: your ecosystem shapes your outcomes far more than your genetic makeup.  

Your zipcode matters more than your genetic code.  

How do we shape ecosystems that bring the best in us?  

From Silicon Valley entrepreneurial ecosystems to Blue Zones where centenarians thrive. The social dimension of change proves particularly powerful, with studies showing proximity to high performers can boost your productivity by 15%, while nearby low performers can decrease it by 30%.  

When designing for sustainable change – whether for yourself, your team, or your organization – we often focus on motivation and clear communication. But what happens when energy wanes, time disappears, and routines get disrupted? This episode introduces the critical concept of "guardrails" – systems designed specifically to prevent failure when people are at their worst.  

Ready to transform how you approach change?  

Discover why social accountability outperforms willpower, how to design ecosystems that naturally encourage positive behaviors, and practical strategies for creating guardrails that catch people when they fall. Whether you're a leader driving organizational transformation or someone committed to personal growth, these research-backed tools will fundamentally change how you approach the change process. Listen now to build systems that make change stick – even when the going gets tough.  

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Brought to you by Angela Shurina

Behavior-First Change Leadership & Culture Transformation Consultant
EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

Is this feeling of never catching up normal? What if nobody, not even that person you admire who seems to have everything together, has actually figured it all out? 

This episode introduces a powerful 3-step Frustration List Technique that transforms how we handle the anxiety of unfinished tasks and unrealized potential.  

Drawing from well-researched strategies in stress management, wellness, and productivity science, this approach creates immediate relief and sustainable progress.  

The freedom comes not from completing everything, but from making peace with the unfinished nature of life while focusing your energy where it matters most.  

Your brain doesn't need you to finish everything, it simply craves progress and attention on what's important. By implementing this technique, you'll experience more presence, joy, and fulfillment, even with a long list of things still undone. 

Ready to stop feeling like you're always behind?  

Listen now to discover how writing it down, sorting what matters, and taking small actions can transform your relationship with your to-do list and ultimately, with yourself.  

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Brought to you by Angela Shurina

Behavior-First Change Leadership & Culture Transformation Consultant
EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH