Coach to Coach

"One ounce of energy invested in your strengths will show more results than 10 ounces invested in an area of weakness."

Estrella Parker, Chief People Officer at Cupertino Electric Inc., is an expert at leveraging her top strengths to create vibrant work environments and unlock the unique potential of her team. In this episode, she shares why she chooses to double down on strengths and use resources to shore up weaknesses. Estrella says it's a mistake to only focus on what you're good at or only where you have gaps. Instead, we should be investing our energy in both. Listen in to learn how to use your strengths to find your flow faster and unlock the ability to grow exponentially.

Additional Resources: Learn Your Top 5 Strengths: [email protected] Connect with Estrella on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

"Gifts are meant to be given away, but you can't give them away intentionally if you don't know what they are."

Amber Fields is the Chief Culture Officer of trueU and an expert communicator. She's passionate about using her strengths to unleash her potential and empower leaders to create strong, healthy workplace cultures.

In this episode, Amber shares her story about what it took for her to embrace her strengths and how that led to her being dubbed 'The Culture Queen.' For far too long, she tried to mute her gifts because she had been conditioned to think they were weaknesses. Listen in to learn how to appreciate and cultivate other peoples' talents to serve the greater good of your organization.

Additional Resources:

• Email us at [email protected] to learn your top 5 strengths
• Check out Strengths Explorer
• Get your copy of Strength-Based Parenting by Dr. Mary Reckmeyer
• Get your copy of '"Play to Their Strengths" by Brandon and Analyn Miller
• Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

The first time Ophelia Byers was encouraged to move into a leadership role, she pushed back because she didn't want the responsibility. Thankfully, someone saw her potential and didn't take no for an answer. Today, Ophelia is the Chief Nursing Officer of Overlook Medical Center and the Associate Chief Nurse Executive of Atlantic Health. Ophelia has built up her own "tackle box" of knowledge, tools, and experiences along her leadership journey. Taking what she's learned, she can identify issues and lead teams to find solutions.

In this episode, Ophelia discusses what she calls the art and science of leadership. Her top strengths of Strategic, Connectedness, and Restorative feed directly into that belief, allowing her to handle the dichotomies of leadership. Listen to learn how to encourage leaders to take in knowledge from all levels of an organization, learn to see around corners, and create opportunities for others to succeed.

Additional Resources: Learn Your Top 5 Strengths: [email protected] Connect with Ophelia on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Megan Nail, Vice President of the Total Rewards Practice at NFP is passionate about compensation and its role in creating a positive employee experience and a competitive advantage. She joins Darren Virassammy on the latest episode of the Strengths Whisperer to share her personal experience as a working parent and the importance of supporting working parents in the workplace. They dive into the topic of flexible work structures and also explore the current labor shortage. Stay tuned for these fascinating insights and learn how to make a difference in the lives of working parents.

Additional Resources: Learn Your Top 5 Strengths: [email protected] Connect with Megan on LinkedIn Learn more about NFP Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Jose Bodipo-Memba is an experienced leader who values the importance of context in his work. Throughout his career, he has recognized the significance of understanding the drivers and goals within a team or organization in order to effectively lead and connect with others.

In this episode, Darren Virassammy and Jose dive deep into the concept of "Balconies and basements of Strength," exploring how strengths can either enhance or hinder our performance. They discuss the need for a well-rounded team that understands and compliments each other's strengths, as well as the significance of effective communication and championing ideas. They also discuss the dangers of solely focusing on numbers and metrics, neglecting the context and humanity of our team members. Join them for an insightful conversation as they explore the power of personal growth.

Additional Resources:

• Learn Your Top 5 Strengths: [email protected]
• Connect with Jose on LinkedIn
• Learn more about SMUD
• Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
• Learn more about PeopleForward Network

How can extreme ownership contribute to a culture of collaboration and respect within a team or organization? Sarah Moloney, Head of Operations at REI Game Changers joins The Strengths Whisperer and takes a deep dive into the topic of extreme ownership and the power of strengths in creating successful collaborations. Together, they explore how executing strengths, combined with Sarah's ability to envision the future, have contributed to her success. They also discuss the habits and techniques required to foster a culture of collaboration, including using "and" instead of "but" and inviting open-mindedness through the phrase "I wonder."

Additional Resources

• Learn Your Top 5 Strengths: [email protected]
• Connect with Sarah Maloney
• Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
• Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Curtis Germany is the Director of Human Resources for Clark County, Nevada. His passion for people and community development has driven remarkable transformation over the past several years. In this episode, Curtis shares how embracing and harnessing strengths can pave the way to overcome challenges, foster meaningful connections, and create a vibrant and diverse community. Listen in to learn key elements that contribute to making a lasting impact in the lives of those you touch.

Additional Resources

• Learn Your Top 5 Strengths: [email protected]
• Connect with Curtis Germany
• Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
• Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Charlie Saffro joins the conversation to share the journey of starting her business as a solopreneur and the importance of balancing competition and teamwork within organizations. She shares her experience working in a male-dominated industry and how she overcame stereotypes by prioritizing empathy and compassion. The pandemic has further emphasized the importance of evaluating individuals beyond their title and focusing on soft skills. This episode dives into the challenges of building a strong company culture and the impact of hiring the right people who align with the company's values.

Additional Resources

• Learn Your Top 5 Strengths: [email protected]
• Charlie on LinkedIn
• Learn more about CS Recruiting
• Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
• Learn more about PeopleForward Network

In this episode of the Strengths Whisperer, Chris Allaire joins the shares insights on the importance of long-term success in a people-first organization. Chris, who has been leading Averity for nine years, understands the significance of staying focused on core ethics and communication, even if it means sacrificing short-term profits and sales. He discusses the three areas that intersect in a successful organization: leadership, management, and mentorship, with leadership being the most influential. Listen in to better understand the concept of maximizing strengths and recognizing areas of improvement for personal and professional growth.

Additional Resources

• Learn Your Top 5 Strengths: [email protected]
• Chris Allaire on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Averity
• Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
• Learn more about PeopleForward Network

In this episode of The Strength's Whisperer, Brandon and Darren interview Marcia Barnes, CEO of Valve & Meter, and discusses the importance of building a healthy work environment. Marcia shares her experience of creating a company culture that values collaboration and support, and emphasizes the importance of finding and utilizing individuals' top strengths. The episode also touches upon the significance of connectedness as a strength, translating to a workplace where colleagues work together and help each other.

Additional Resources

• Learn Your Top 5 Strengths: [email protected]
• Follow Marcia on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Valve + Meter
• Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn
• Learn more about PeopleForward Network