Closing the Gap

What is the difference between critical thinking and non-judgement? How do you respond when someone says something that's downright offensive? How do we close the gap with others who have very different value systems than ourselves? The way we navigate the world informs the biases we carry with us. But what if our life experiences could inform us to better support those around us? In the workplace, in our communities, and the world.

In this week's episode, Denise Cooper interviews Founder and Principal Consultant of Brim-Donahoe & Associates, LueRachelle Brim-Atkins for her take on how we can keep a level head in the face of workplace conflict and strife.

Keep up with LueRachelle Brim-Atkins:

https://diversitycollaborative.com/luerachelle-brim-atkins/

https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/luerachelle-brim-atkins-joyfully-builds-and-cultivates-community/

What does it mean to show up vulnerably when it comes to topics you don't know? How do you balance good intentions with the reality that sometimes you will be in the wrong?

When it comes to issues of belonging and inclusion, we tend to stick to people who we know are like us in some way. This is often unconscious, but as a result - people are marginalized in the process. In this week's episode, Alex Wait answers the question, what role can straight white men play in "social justice"? And bigger than that - how do we build lives that seek to welcome others in, even when they're from a much different background than ourselves?

Keep up with Alex Wait:

Epics Podcast: EpicsPodcast.com

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/epics-podcast/id1573258127

What role does your particular comfort zone play in diversity & inclusion in your organization? How do we bring historically marginalized individuals into the C-Suite? We know that diversity brings innovation, however, women and people of color are underrepresented in the board room.

We keep hearing "we don't know where to find them". 70-80% of jobs are based on who you know. However, what does this mean for people who are outside of your normal circle? We like working with people we feel comfortable with - but we only get comfortable if we are exposed.

In this week's episode, Denise Cooper interviews performance coach Denise Conroy for her take on what it will take to get more women, people of color, and other historically marginalized groups leading change in their organizations and in the world.

Keep up with Denise Conroy:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/conroydenise/

What role do the stories we tell ourselves play in office conflicts? Are the stories you tell yourself about how your boss feels about you rooted in reality or fear? Our emotions are our primary link to memory, connection, and disconnection. Frustratingly enough, it isn't always possible to simply "be more logical" about an emotional situation.

How can we use our breath to rewire the neurochemicals that fire off in our frontal cortex in times of stress? At our core, people all want to know that they are safe, heard, seen, and relevant. If you've been searching for meaningful tools to work through workplace conflict, this is the episode for you.

In this week's episode, Denise Cooper interviews Human Performance Specialist Pamela Brooks-Richards, for her take on how we can eliminate workplace conflicts at the source.

Keep up with Pamela Brooks-Richards:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccsuccess/

A “compassionate achiever” is someone who attains success by helping others. Many leaders today believe in a dog-eat-dog mentality, where only the strongest survive. However, if you look under the headlines and deeper into the science, all the empirical evidence shows that success is not only greater but more sustainable when achieved through a “survival of the kindest”/compassionate approach.

Throughout the pandemic, many organizations found themselves going through seminars and workshops that focused on empathy. However, empathy has limits - just because you're feeling what someone else is feeling doesn't mean you're giving them the support they need. Instead, Chris Kukk offers up the idea that compassion can drive us to create action that ripples out meaningful change.

If you've found yourself wondering how you can leverage your skills around collaboration, servant leadership, and heart to better lead your team - this is the episode for you.

In this week's episode, Denise Cooper interviews author of The Compassionate Achiever, co-host of The Compassionate Achiever Podcast, Dean of the Cormier Honors College for Citizen Scholars and Professor Dr. Chris Kukk. Dr. Kukk's research has shown that success is not only easier but more durable and fulfilling when it’s achieved interdependently rather than independently.

Keep up with Dr. Kukk:

https://chriskukk.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-kukk

https://www.instagram.com/dr.kukk/

https://twitter.com/DrChrisKukk

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012244626048

What role is boundary leakage playing in the productivity of your team? In many cases, individual contributors and leaders alike are not clear on what it is that they're accountable for. Once we know what we are accountable for, how do our conversations evolve?

Anytime we are working towards an organizational goal, only 10% of the work is task-related. The other 90% is people. If you've found yourself wondering how you can bring more accountability to your team or organization one conversation at a time - this is the episode for you.

In this week's episode, Alexa Greer interviews public speaker, podcast host, and author Denise Cooper for her take on how to create a culture that prioritizes accountability. Listen in for Denise Cooper's expert advice on how to influence change in your working relationships with these simple changes.

“Anytime we are working towards an organizational goal, only 10% of the work is task-related. The other 90% is people.”

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

1. What are some signs that a workplace is prioritizing accountability on their teams? 
2. What are red flags for accountability in an organization?
3. What are green flags for accountability in an organization?
4. How to follow up without micromanaging.
5. The difference between boundary management and resource management.
6. How to avoid boundary leakage.

EPISODE RESOURCES

• Episode 88: How do I discuss what I actually need with my boss?
• FREE TRIAL: Remarkable Leadership Lessons Community 
• Got questions? Send them here
• Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review

KEEP UP WITH DENISE HERE

https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisecooper/

https://rllessons.com/

https://www.instagram.com/denisecooperinc/

Did you know: in order to be able to make strategic changes, you have to change your mindset away from planning and implementation. Strategic thinking does not equal strategic implementation. These are completely different ways of thinking.

97% of executives say that strategic thinking is their biggest concern. 81% of executives don't know where to start when it comes to strategic thinking! By making space for problem solving without immediately focusing on the implementation piece, you can lead your organization to reach greater heights over time.

In this week's episode, Dr. Julia Sloan talks us through her Three-Stage Model for learning strategic thinking. Dr. Sloan is a leading authority on the cognitive aspect of strategic thinking and is widely recognized for her pioneering work on the application of complex cognitive theory to everyday strategic thinking practice in global business and public policy.

If you find yourself wondering how to be a better strategist, this is the episode for you. Listen in for Dr. Sloans 's expert advice on how you can apply your expertise to make an impact in your organization and in the world.

Keep up with Dr. Sloan:

https://www.sloaninternationalconsulting.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjuliasloan/

Book: Learning to Think Strategically, 4th ed.

Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Routledge publishing house.

What is strategic thinking? What does it look like in the C-Suite or the workplace? We often think about our careers in terms of taking the "fast path" to success - however learning is cumulative. To become a strong strategist, you have to implement lessons that you've learned across your entire career journey.

In this week's episode, Dr. Julia Sloan talks us through her Three-Stage Model for learning strategic thinking. Dr. Sloan is a leading authority on the cognitive aspect of strategic thinking and is widely recognized for her pioneering work on the application of complex cognitive theory to everyday strategic thinking practice in global business and public policy.

If you find yourself wondering how to be a better strategist, this is the episode for you. Listen in for Dr. Sloans 's expert advice on how you can apply your expertise to make an impact in your organization and in the world.

Keep up with Dr. Sloan:

https://www.sloaninternationalconsulting.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjuliasloan/

Book: Learning to Think Strategically, 4th ed.

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Routledge publishing house.

How do we start thinking about what we really need from our boss? Often, our mind goes straight to getting that next raise. However, for most people - the real key to happiness is a bit more holistic.

For many workers, they find that the ideal work situation requires a fair balance of income, time spent at the job, and attention required. Have you thought about talking to your boss about what can be done to balance the scales? The process can be more collaborative than you think. In some cases, a raise may be what you need. In other cases, the answer may be rearranging your daily job routine, re-evaluating the tasks that suck up your time, and negotiating a new way to get the work done.

If you find yourself wondering how to ask your boss for what you need, this is the episode for you. Listen in for Denise Cooper's expert advice on how to lead this conversation with your boss to get an outcome you'll be happy with.

Keep up with Denise Cooper:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisecooper/

https://rllessons.com/

https://www.instagram.com/denisecooperinc/

How do we deal with someone who is a work jerk? We've all worked alongside a prickly boss in the past. Between the Great Resignation, the ongoing pandemic, and increasing economic disruption many workers are finding their tolerance for insensitive bosses has gone down the drain.

If you find yourself wondering how you can more effectively deal with difficult colleagues, this is the episode for you. Listen in for practical advice on addressing interpersonal workplace challenges.

In this week's episode, Denise Cooper interviews interpersonal work relationship expert, consultant, and author Louise Carnachan for her take on the good, the bad, and the ugly of workplace communication.

Keep up with Louise Carnachan:

https://www.louisecarnachan.com/

Work Jerks: How to Cope with Difficult Bosses and Colleagues (June, 2022, available for presale)

https://www.amazon.com/Work-Jerks-Difficult-Bosses-Colleagues/dp/1647423694/