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What Is Misunderstanding Costing You?
Two people can walk away from the same conversation with completely different accounts of what happened, and both can be certain they're right.
That gap between how we experience ourselves and how other people experience us is where a surprising amount of leadership happens.
In this episode, I explore the role awareness and curiosity play in helping us understand ourselves, challenge our assumptions about others, and make more intentional choices about how we lead.
We look at why some of the best leaders seem to have such a good “read” on people—and why what looks like intuition may actually be something deeper: a willingness to remain curious.
I also explore the hidden energy cost of adapting our natural preferences to meet the demands of our environment. You can become extraordinarily good at a behavior that is simultaneously exhausting you. Effectiveness and effort are not always the same thing.
And then we tackle a more uncomfortable question:
When should you trust your gut—and when might your confidence simply be reinforcing a story you've already created?
Research on expert intuition suggests that reliable instincts develop under particular conditions. Research on self-awareness reminds us that we're not always the best witnesses to our own behavior. And research on workplace conflict shows just how expensive misunderstanding can become when assumptions, communication differences, and unresolved tension are allowed to accumulate.
In this episode, we explore:
A reflection experiment
For the next week, don't simply think about your personality. Watch for patterns.
Notice when your energy changes. Who leaves you energized? Who leaves you depleted? When do you become impatient, withdraw, talk more, talk less, take over, accommodate, or behave differently from the way that feels most natural to you?
Write those moments down and ask:
What was happening?
What did the situation seem to require from me?
What was I assuming?
What evidence do I actually have that what I believe is true?
What else could be true?
What might I try differently next time?
You don't need a personality profile to begin developing greater awareness.
You just need to start paying attention.
Research & References
Curiosity and High-Performing Teams
Read “How to Build a Superteam That Keeps Getting Better” — Harvard Business Review
When Should You Trust Your Intuition?
Kahneman & Klein — Conditions for Intuitive Expertise
Self-Awareness, Blind Spots & 360-Degree Feedback
The Johari Window
Joseph Luft & Harrington Ingham — Johari Window, 1955
Workplace Conflict, Communication & Personality Differences
The Myers-Briggs Company — Conflict at Work Research, 2022
Workplace Conflict in Great Britain
Acas — Conflict at work: why it happens and how people try to resolve it
Acas — 2025 workplace-conflict research report
The Gap Between Employer and Employee Views of Conflict Resolution
CIPD — How Employers Are Tackling Bullying and Harassment at Work
Remote Work and Organizational Silos
Microsoft Research — The Effects of Remote Work on Collaboration Among Information Workers
Published study — Nature Human Behaviour
Why Written Communication Is So Easy to Misread
Justin Kruger, Nicholas Epley, Jason Parker & Zhi-Wen Ng — “Egocentrism Over E-Mail: Can We Communicate as Well as We Think?” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2005
PubMed — Egocentrism Over E-Mail: Can We Communicate as Well as We Think?
People, Culture & Organizational Transformation
Why Transformations Stall - and where only CEO's make the difference
Explore Your Own Patterns
If this episode has you wondering about your own preferences, energy, communication style, blind spots—or how these dynamics may be affecting your team—you can learn more about Insights Discovery or schedule a conversation with me.
Schedule a chat with Marie
And in the next episode, we'll go deeper into the psychological preferences rooted in Jungian psychology that underpin Insights Discovery and several other approaches to understanding personality—what those preferences mean, how to begin recognizing them, and how they may affect your energy, stress, communication, and relationships at work.
Choice, not Chance.
Support the show
If you enjoyed this content and would like to learn more about how you can awaken and showcase your unique gifts, use the link below to join our X-Treme Executive Club. Our Club offers:
https://successschool.protilly.com/membership#nav_bar
Host Marie Chindamo welcomes Michele Jennae, creator of the EDG Butterfly Map and founder of Everyday Genius X365, to discuss how brilliance is inherent in everyone but often dimmed by rigid schools and workplaces. Michelle shares leaving a government job after seeing capable people “calcify” into conformity, and explains her framework for reclaiming genius through polarities—paired tensions like certainty and wonder, structure and flow, visibility and solitude—illustrated as butterfly wings that must work together for “flight.” They explore how perfectionism often comes from fear and self-talk, how workplaces can suppress originality, and why self-awareness helps us understand others. Michelle outlines eight “genius tensions,” describes integrating VIA Character Strengths, and notes practices like embodiment and awareness to rebound from “lower wing” states. She defines success as embodying one’s idiosyncratic genius and staying aligned with intention.
00:00 Genius Within Us
00:31 Show Intro
00:53 Meet Michelle Jennae
03:55 Walking Away From Work
08:24 Culture Shift After Covid
09:56 Butterfly Map Explained
14:19 Movement Not Types
17:14 Leadership And Self Talk
20:14 Why Brilliance Gets Suppressed
25:00 Host Assessment Results
27:32 VIA Strengths Overview
30:16 Practices To Stay Connected
32:40 Client Transformations
33:27 Lower Wing Recovery
34:14 Awareness Creates Choice
35:11 Perfectionism and Projection
38:32 Reframing Fear and What Ifs
41:52 Defining Success Today
46:36 Blue Flame Genius
48:25 Seeing Genius in Others
51:35 Self Awareness and Diversity
54:27 Staying the Course
58:34 Closing Reflections
Connect with Michele Jennae
https://www.edgx365.com/meet-michele-jennae/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelejennae/
Support the show
If you enjoyed this content and would like to learn more about how you can awaken and showcase your unique gifts, use the link below to join our X-Treme Executive Club. Our Club offers:
https://successschool.protilly.com/membership#nav_bar
Host Marie Chindamo introduces an interview recorded in July 2025 with Brittany Hirson, CEO of South Bay Energy, a boutique retail energy supplier in New York and PJM. Brittany recounts joining the startup as a college intern in 2013 and rising to CEO by following strong leaders, building relationships, taking initiative, and embracing learning before feeling ready. She discusses leading by example, creating room for growth and safe failure, and the importance of authenticity in business trust. Brittany also describes her role as president of the Mid-Atlantic chapter of the Women’s Energy Alliance, focused on women supporting women through member mentorships with inclusive male allies. She shares her consulting work in operations and marketing, shifting from 1x to 10x goals through delegation and “who versus how,” views on technology and APIs, self-care through Pilates and a vegan lifestyle, and the belief that people can tap an extra 10% of effort to seize opportunities.
From Intern to CEO: Brittany Harrison on Choice, Confidence, and 10x Leadership
00:00 Show Intro
00:22 Intern To CEO
01:24 Episode Context
04:12 Meet Brittany
06:14 Startup Culture
08:46 Mentorship Matters
11:15 Women’s Energy Alliance
15:16 Authenticity Wins
16:06 Future Of Energy
18:50 Confidence To Lead
20:41 Consulting And Ops
23:46 Defining Success
26:25 Ten X Thinking
27:47 Perfectionism And Progress
29:16 Risk And Mistakes
31:20 Mistakes Can Be Fixed
32:00 Beautiful Mistakes and Discovery
32:16 Tech and Leadership Tools
33:08 APIs and Automation Basics
34:16 Upskilling the Team
35:10 Low Risk Tool Practice
38:16 Too Many Tools Problem
40:08 Avoiding the Tech Rabbit Hole
41:24 Self-Care and Pilates Routine
43:58 Intentional Choices and Health
47:59 Truth Be Told Extra Ten Percent
52:41 Spotting Opportunities and Initiative
57:37 Final Takeaways and Outro
Connect with Brittany
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-hirson-660b6788/
A little bit about Marie Chindamo:
Marie is the founder and CEO of ProTilly, a successful consulting practice founded over 8 years ago. ProTilly specializes in building strategy, challenging the status quo, and inspiring individuals and organizations to think radically differently to achieve transformative benefits. By encouraging fresh perspectives and innovative thinking, Marie and her team help organizations break free from limiting practices, creating room for disruptive ideas and growth. They provide strategic guidance that’s tailored to navigating transitions, whether it's organizational change, market shifts, or leadership development.
Support the show
If you enjoyed this content and would like to learn more about how you can awaken and showcase your unique gifts, use the link below to join our X-Treme Executive Club. Our Club offers:
https://successschool.protilly.com/membership#nav_bar
Strategic Restraint: Navigating Competing Priorities with Discernment
Marie returns to the Choice Not Chance podcast after an eight-month pause, explaining it was driven by competing priorities and a commitment to quality rather than burnout or lost passion. She reflects on how high-achieving leaders often struggle not with a lack of options but with too many meaningful opportunities, arguing that leadership is defined by discernment, focus, and long-term alignment rather than constant output. During the break, she narrowed instead of accelerated, practiced instead of published, and pursued advanced coursework to deepen her knowledge and integrate new experiences into sharper future frameworks. She reframes pausing as strategic restraint and maturity, encouraging listeners to evaluate whether stepping back is avoidance or alignment. She also connects these themes to the Extreme Executive Club, positioned as a structured space for rigorous thinking, refinement, and executive signature work.
00:00 Welcome Back and the Pause
00:31 When Consistency Becomes Noise
01:12 Every Yes Has a Cost
02:12 Competing Priorities and Focus
03:26 Integration Builds Depth
04:13 Strategic Restraint and Ego
05:00 Discernment Questions to Ask
05:35 Extreme Executive Club Update
06:24 Calibration Over Acceleration
07:00 Returning With Clarity
07:20 Choice Not Chance Closing
A little bit about Marie Chindamo:
Marie is the founder and CEO of ProTilly, a successful consulting practice founded over 8 years ago. ProTilly specializes in building strategy, challenging the status quo, and inspiring individuals and organizations to think radically differently to achieve transformative benefits. By encouraging fresh perspectives and innovative thinking, Marie and her team help organizations break free from limiting practices, creating room for disruptive ideas and growth. They provide strategic guidance that’s tailored to navigating transitions, whether it's organizational change, market shifts, or leadership development.
ENJOY THE SHOW?
--> Join my X-Treme Executive Clubä to get exclusive access to simple yet mind-blowing strategies and support to achieve your highest potential.
--> If this episode is making you think, I would love it if you could share your thoughts with me over on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn!
Support the show
If you enjoyed this content and would like to learn more about how you can awaken and showcase your unique gifts, use the link below to join our X-Treme Executive Club. Our Club offers:
https://successschool.protilly.com/membership#nav_bar
EP015 – Freedom Mindset: Tethered to Nothing, Anchored to Purpose
“Freedom mindset is saying, I'm making conscious choices to do and act on things that will benefit my long-term growth, and requires you to remove the things that aren't going to contribute to that.” Marie Chindamo
In this first episode of season two of 'Choice, Not Chance: Simplifying Success,' host Marie Chindamo delves into the concept of the freedom mindset. Reflecting on her six-week sabbatical and annual retreat, Marie emphasizes the importance of making conscious choices to cultivate freedom and growth. She discusses the power of envisioning your future self, using 'I am' statements, and clarifying core values as foundational steps to achieving exponential personal and professional success. Through personal anecdotes and retreat experiences, Marie offers strategies for overcoming obstacles, leveraging strengths, and enlisting support to enrich one's journey. She invites listeners to utilize her resources and join her in building a life they do not want to retire from.
00:00 Introduction to Choice, not Chance
00:22 Season Two Kickoff
01:10 Embracing the Freedom Mindset
06:39 Visioning Your Future Self
12:00 Lifetime Extension
15:00 Focus on Strengths vs. Weaknesses
17:02 Your Superpowers
18:59 Commitment Creates Action
19:47 Clarifying Core Values
21:17 Overcoming Obstacles
24:21 Conclusion and Resources
Connect with Marie Chindamo
Website
ENJOY THE SHOW?
--> Join my X-Treme Executive Clubä to get exclusive access to simple yet mind-blowing strategies and support to achieve your highest potential.
--> If this episode is making you think, I would love if you could share your thoughts with me over on Facebook Instagram or LinkedIn!
Support the show
If you enjoyed this content and would like to learn more about how you can awaken and showcase your unique gifts, use the link below to join our X-Treme Executive Club. Our Club offers:
https://successschool.protilly.com/membership#nav_bar
Empowering Young Women: The Journey of Wonder Girls
In this episode of 'Choice, Not Chance: Simplifying Success,' host Marie Chindamo interviews Natalie Maniscalco and Irene Robles, co-founders of Wonder Girls. They discuss the inception and mission of their nonprofit organization that empowers high school girls through leadership building, community service, and confidence workshops. They share personal stories, the impact of their professional skills, and the importance of empathy, support, and mentorship in shaping the future of young women. The conversation also touches upon their ambitious plans for expansion and continuous support for aspiring young women leaders.
00:00 Introduction to Choice, Not Chance
00:27 Meet the Wonder Girls Founders
01:26 Natalie's Journey and the Birth of Wonder Girls
06:03 Irene's Background and Contributions
10:21 Empowering Young Women Through Confidence
16:58 Wonder Girls Programs and Impact
26:38 Leadership and Support Behind Wonder Girls
27:21 Team Effort and Acknowledgements
28:08 Board Members and Their Contributions
29:23 Personal Fulfillment and Purpose
32:13 Fundraising and Events
34:25 Podcast and Partnerships
36:49 Future Goals and Expansion
42:21 Personal Choices and Reflections
47:13 Mindset and Overcoming Obstacles
49:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Connect with Natalie Maniscalco & Irene Robles
https://www.wondergirlsusa.org/our-team
https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-j-maniscalco-54195a1/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/irene-paleologos-zervoudis-301aa0110/
A little bit about Wondergirls:
https://www.wondergirlsusa.org/ourvisionourteam
Founded in December 2020, Wonder Girls is a non-profit 501(c)3 | empowerment program for middle, high school, and college girls with a mission to build confidence, leadership, community spirit, and the necessary business skills to succeed no matter what educational or career path they may choose.
Wonder Girls strive to create a space
for addressing the current emotional, physical, and mental challenges facing
our young girls today. Wonder Girls provides our girls with a support system,
giving them a place where they feel safe and comfortable expressing themselves
while also providing them with the tools they need to grow and thrive in this
world. We offer our young girls the opportunity to speak their truth without
fear of isolation or judgment.
Wonder Girls believes that every young
woman deserves the opportunity to thrive as a leader of their own life despite
economic, social, or educational challenges. As a network of successful and
powerful professionals, we want to positively impact the lives of our Wonder
Girls and foster our future female leaders who are ready to make a difference!
Support the show
If you enjoyed this content and would like to learn more about how you can awaken and showcase your unique gifts, use the link below to join our X-Treme Executive Club. Our Club offers:
https://successschool.protilly.com/membership#nav_bar
In this episode, Marie welcomes Dr. Steven Padnick, a psychologist with extensive experience in treating stress-related and psychophysiological disorders. Dr. Padnick discusses the importance of recognizing and addressing stress and anxiety, emphasizing that anxiety is a natural and helpful signal indicating that something is out of balance. By tuning into one's inner thoughts and feelings and expressing them through methods like writing, individuals can better manage anxiety and avoid destructive behaviors. Dr. Padnick advocates for early intervention and therapy to prevent the escalation of stress into more serious health issues. The conversation touches on methods of self-therapy, the benefits of group therapy, and the crucial role of self-awareness and intentional living in achieving personal and professional success.
“I wish people would seek counseling way sooner than they do. Generally, people wait much too long. If you feel like you're struggling and you're dissatisfied with your life, dissatisfied with your relationships, you have anxiety, you're not sleeping well, you have bouts of depression, or you find that you're drinking more than you should, go find a good psychologist, analyst, or a therapist to talk to, why wait until it has more of a grip on you.” – Dr. Steven Padnick
EP013: Show Highlights
01:52 Dr. Padnick's Early Life and Career Choices
05:45 Understanding Stress and Its Effects
08:14 Defining Success and Passion
11:36 The Role of Therapy in Overcoming Symptoms
15:42 Challenges in Therapy and Group Dynamics
22:18 The Importance of Early Intervention
30:06 Navigating Professional Challenges
30:57 Repetition Compulsion in Adulthood
31:44 Personal Stories of Overcoming Adversity
32:10 Understanding Childhood Survival Mechanisms
33:18 The Brain's Role in Survival and Stress
34:36 Free Association and Stress
36:48 The Importance of Silence and Self-Reflection
37:57 Embracing Anxiety as a Growth Tool
44:14 Defining Success and Personal Fulfillment
50:02 Concluding Thoughts and Resources
Connect with Dr. Padnick:
Commack Center for Counseling: https://commackconsultationcenter.com/
Moody Blues Songs Mentioned
Balance: https://open.spotify.com/track/10iVtp83V7n1nvCJcqJITZ?si=d7ea0ac7707c42f2
Question: https://open.spotify.com/track/4Q27I5G3W14hnYVi45oi2h?si=436df51f97fa45c2
A little bit about Dr. Steven Padnick:
Dr. Padnick received intensive post-doctoral training at the Humanistic Psychology Center, the Center for Modern Psychoanalytic Studies, and the Center for the Advancement of Group Studies.
Full bio can be found here:https://commackconsultationcenter.com/our-therapists/
Support the show
If you enjoyed this content and would like to learn more about how you can awaken and showcase your unique gifts, use the link below to join our X-Treme Executive Club. Our Club offers:
https://successschool.protilly.com/membership#nav_bar
“Things happen, change, go back, and cycle. That's what happens. So, you adjust. Even through your career, something changes that you didn't plan on. How am I going to adjust to going forward to be the best I can be in this new environment?” Dr. Bryan Frank
[Ep 013]: This episode focuses on how flexibility and seizing opportunities can lead us to realize our fullest potential.
My guest in this episode is a wonderful and impressive example of how hard work, flexibility, and commitment have served humanity in multiple ways.
Dr. Brian Frank, whose diverse career spans law enforcement, education, and cybersecurity, shares insights from his experiences as an NYPD officer, Intelligence analyst in Iraq, educator, school administrator, and cybersecurity consultant. We explore Dr. Frank's motivations, how his various roles are interconnected, the evolving school safety landscape, and best cybersecurity practices. Dr. Frank's journey emphasizes the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and seizing opportunities to shape one's destiny.
Show Highlights
01:20 Exploring Dr. Frank's Career
01:58 School Safety and Security
05:33 The Role of Educators in Security
14:53 Parental Involvement and Support
22:12 Challenges and Changes in Education
29:46 Pressure on Students and Work-Life Balance
35:51 Navigating the Modern Workplace
36:46 Health and Wellness Initiatives at Work
37:31 The Importance of Candid Environments
38:33 Team Approach and Ego Management
40:21 Challenging the Status Quo
43:54 Cybersecurity Insights and Best Practices
56:23 Personal Motivation and Career Reflections
01:08:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
More About Guest Dr. Bryan Frank:
Connect: Bryan Frank LInkedIn
Dr. Frank’s Bio:
Bryan Frank is an Adjunct Lecturer at Stony Brook University. He earned a B.A. in Political Science and History from CW Post In 1993. Bryan holds a M.S. in Social Studies 7-12, a M.S. in Liberal Studies, and an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership through Stony Brook University. He earned an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Saint John's University. Bryan holds permanent certifications in social studies and school administration at the building and district level, and a graduate certificate in Cyber Policy from the University of Maryland. More information on Dr. Frank's extensive bio can be seen through these links:
Stonybrook University Bio
Covert Investigations Bio
Support the show
If you enjoyed this content and would like to learn more about how you can awaken and showcase your unique gifts, use the link below to join our X-Treme Executive Club. Our Club offers:
https://successschool.protilly.com/membership#nav_bar
“We connect on an emotional level. We don't connect through facts and figures. There's a statistic that we remember 70 percent more information that's told to us through stories than through facts.” Tessa Rawson
[EP011] - From Thought to Influence: Owning Your Narrative with Confidence.
In this episode of 'Choice, Not Chance: Simplifying Success,' host Marie Chindamo interviews Tessa Rawson, a highly experienced speaking coach and founder of Resonance Coaching, who has over 10 years of experience producing TEDx talks. Tessa shares insights on how to help individuals become effective speakers and confidently share their stories. Topics include common challenges in public speaking, the importance of storytelling, and practical tips to overcome fear and anxiety. Tessa also discusses the impact of public speaking on personal and professional growth and offers advice on applying for TED and TEDx events. The episode underscores the significance of embracing one’s voice and using storytelling to make a message impactful.
00:00 Introduction to the Show
00:27 Meet Tessa Rawson: Expert Speaking Coach
01:48 Life on a Sailboat: Tessa's Unique Living Situation
03:43 The Importance of Finding Your Voice
05:26 Overcoming Speaking Challenges
06:56 The Power of Storytelling
10:30 Tips for Women to Be Heard in the Workplace
14:30 Preparing for a TED Talk
16:04 Defining Success Beyond Views
21:46 How to Get on the TEDx Stage
27:41 Starting with the Core Idea
28:41 Building the Talk Framework
29:03 Engaging the Audience
31:04 Overcoming Nerves and Anxiety
35:13 The Power of Storytelling
39:13 The Birth of Resonance
44:52 Future Aspirations and Final Thoughts
Connect with Tessa Rawson
Website
Books or Resources Mentioned:
TedX Application Kit
A little bit about Tess Rawson:
After nearly 10 years of producing TEDx events in Europe and the US, Tessa founded Resonance because she genuinely believes everyone can be a powerful public speaker. Working with speakers has shown here over and over again that by gaining confidence in your voice, you can change not just your world but someone else’s, too. You already have all the tools you need, sometimes you need a little help figuring out what you want to say and how best to articulate it.
She has been sharing stories around the dinner table and on the stage in the US, Turkey, and Switzerland. Tessa now lives with her family on a sailboat in the Caribbean. She has coached leaders from across industries and geographies- everyone from non-profit founders and corporate executives to educators and artists.
Videos of their talks have been viewed over 2 million times on YouTube & TED.com, but more importantly, finding what they really want to say and the words to say it has allowed them to grow their brand and increase their impact.
Support the show
If you enjoyed this content and would like to learn more about how you can awaken and showcase your unique gifts, use the link below to join our X-Treme Executive Club. Our Club offers:
https://successschool.protilly.com/membership#nav_bar
“The key to navigating power dynamics is knowing your own power. It doesn't matter if you're in a position of authority. Your power lies in your values, your boundaries, and your ability to act in alignment with them.” Marie Chindamo
[EP010] - The Strength of Quiet Confidence: From Chaos to Clarity
In this solo episode of 'Choice, Not Chance: Simplifying Success,' host Marie Chindamo delves into the importance of trusting your intuition, standing by your values, and making intentional choices in challenging situations. She builds on themes from a previous bonus episode, offering universal principles for managing life's disruptions. Marie emphasizes the power of aligning with our internal energy frequency and the strength found in quiet resilience. She explores strategies for navigating power dynamics and taking small, intentional steps over time to achieve transformative and sustainable change. Self-care, reflecting before reacting, setting clear boundaries, and celebrating small victories are key takeaways to maintaining personal power and integrity.
Show Highlights
[Ep 010]: Description
00:00 Introduction to Choice, Not Chance
00:27 Reflecting on Personal Challenges
02:45 Understanding Emotional Reactions
05:39 Navigating Power Dynamics
09:39 The Importance of Values and Intuition
14:30 Real-Life Examples and Applications
26:29 Strategies for Self-Care and Reflection
28:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Support the show
If you enjoyed this content and would like to learn more about how you can awaken and showcase your unique gifts, use the link below to join our X-Treme Executive Club. Our Club offers:
https://successschool.protilly.com/membership#nav_bar
From the publisher's feed
Have you ever considered how successful individuals break free from the conventional 9-to-5 mindset and create lives where they can embrace entrepreneurial opportunities inside and outside…