What do your actions say?

“Actions speak louder than words.”

It may be a cliche, but it’s true. Julie Sweet, CEO of Accenture, is an excellent example of a leader who implements this truth, transforming her company through her visible commitment to digital innovation.

"Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence," she says. Her very leadership style exemplifies the truth that showing — not telling — is a powerful way to inspire the teams you lead.

To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting.

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Journal your way to a life with purpose. The Strengths Journal™ is the first and only Gallup-certified daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to dominate each day and ultimately– transform your life.

My guest today is Andy Lopata. A professional relationship strategist with notable clients such as PayPal and GlaxoSmithKline.

Andy shares his 25-year journey from corporate escapee to a networking expert, emphasizing the shift from 'networking' to 'professional relationship strategy.' He discusses the importance of building, nurturing, and leveraging relationships in the workplace, especially amid the complexities of hybrid working environments.

Andy also introduces his concept of a 'blended mindset' to balance strategic and relational networking, highlighting the power of curiosity, authenticity, and vulnerability in building trust. He offers practical insights into overcoming silos in organizations and how strategic relationship building can benefit leaders and teams. Our discussion concludes with Andy's perspective on future workplace trends, particularly around hybrid working and digital communication.

Episode Minutes:

Minute 4: The Evolution of Networking

Minute 8: Building Strategic RelationshipsMinute 12: The Blended Mindset

 Minute 31: Future Trends in the Workplace

To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting.

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Journal your way to a life with purpose. The Strengths Journal™ is the first and only Gallup-certified daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to dominate each day and ultimately– transform your life.

Is your life aligned with your purpose?

Do you ever feel like you’re just going through the motions? I’ve been there. For me, defining a clear "why" helps me sharpen my decisions and adds meaning to my daily actions.

An example of defining your “why” that stands out to me is Robin Arzon, Vice President of Fitness Programming at Peloton. After surviving a dramatic hostage situation, she decided to shift from law to fitness as a means of empowering others. Her purpose—helping people become stronger—became the lens through which she made every decision. 

Her work has had a profound impact, reaching millions of people. Robin’s story is a powerful reminder that when you live in alignment with your purpose, it’s not just about professional success; it’s about making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. 

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Journal your way to a life with purpose. The Strengths Journal™ is the first and only Gallup-certified daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to dominate each day and ultimately– transform your life.

On today's episode, I welcome Laura and Barry Ash, who share their extraordinary journey from childhood friends playing superheroes to a dynamic couple transforming lives through their company, Rock Solid Health.

The pair discuss their unique love story, Laura’s challenging career transition from a police officer to a wellness advocate after a bipolar diagnosis, and Barry’s experiences from being a prison officer to a fitness professional. They delve into their development of the ACE method to combat burnout, emphasizing mental, physical, and emotional wellness.

Laura and Barry also explain key strategies they use to help clients overcome stress and burnout, ultimately transforming their lives much like superheroes. Their story is a powerful testament to living life by design and turning personal struggles into a mission to help others.

Episode Minutes:

Minute 5: The Birth of Rock Solid Health

Minute 7: Overcoming Burnout and Mental Health Struggles

Minute 16: The ACE Method for Burnout Recovery

To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting.

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Journal your way to a life with purpose. The Strengths Journal™ is the first and only Gallup-certified daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to dominate each day and ultimately– transform your life.

Let’s close the year out strong

As we approach the end of the year, I want to invite you to take a moment to channel the popular TV show character: Ted Lasso. Like Ted, let’s tap into optimism, authenticity, and a people-first approach as we reflect on our strengths.

Think of it as your personal halftime talk—time to check in with yourself and your achievements, just as Ted would rally his team with encouragement and belief. Let’s recognize the strengths that have served us well this year and consider which might need a little more playing time in the coming year. As we close this year, believe in the power of your unique strengths and the impact they can have.

To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting

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Journal your way to a life with purpose. The Strengths Journal™ is the first and only Gallup-certified daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to dominate each day and ultimately– transform your life.

Dr. Linda Shaw, a cognitive neuroscientist and experienced entrepreneur with a wealth of knowledge in unconscious processing of emotion and behavioral change is my guest today.

We discuss Dr. Shaw's intriguing career path from airline crew to neuroscience, her research on unconscious bias, and the importance of managing uncertainty rather than change in the workplace.

Dr. Shaw talks about unlocking hidden potential within teams, leveraging genius ideas, and the significance of effective communication in turbulent times. Our conversation also covers practical advice for leaders on how to navigate the evolving workplace landscape, and how to harness their own and their team's strengths for optimal performance.

Episode Minutes:

Minute 9: Understanding Consciousness and Unconscious Processing

Minute 12: Applying Neuroscience in the Workplace

Minute 24: Maximizing Strengths and Genius Ideas

To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting

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The Strengths Journal™ is the first and only Gallup-certified daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to dominate each day and ultimately– transform your life.

Where are your blind spots?

December’s here, and I know the pressure is on! This week, I’m sharing strategies to help you leverage your strengths to enhance your productivity, energy, and confidence, no matter where you are in your leadership journey. In particular, I want to explore how overusing strengths can lead to “blind spots” that might impact us negatively, as Robert Bruce Shaw describes in Leadership Blindspots. Our greatest strengths, if unbalanced, can turn into hindrances.

For instance, those with high Self-Assurance might miss valuable input, while those strong in Responsibility may overcommit. Recognizing these tendencies can help us use our strengths more effectively.

To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting

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Journal your way to a life with purpose. The Strengths Journal™ is the first and only Gallup-certified daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to dominate each day and ultimately– transform your life.

Today I welcome Marla Mervis-Hartmann , a professional coach and TEDx speaker.

Marla talks to me about her new book, 'Befriend Yourself: Finding Freedom with Food and Peace with Your Body,' discussing her journey of overcoming a dysfunctional relationship with food and body image.

She talks about the importance of self-love, mindfulness, and dispelling negative self-talk. Our discussion delves into the societal pressures women face, the significance of emotional healing, and practical steps for improving body image and self-worth. Marla's candid reflections and expert advice offer valuable guidance for anyone looking to foster a healthier relationship with their body

Episode Minutes: 

Minute 3: The Impact of Diet Culture

Minute 8: Reclaiming Self-Worth and Body Sovereignty

Minute 25: Struggles and Societal Pressures

Minute 33: Positive Self-Talk and Healing

To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting.

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The Strengths Journal™ is the first and only Gallup-certified daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to dominate each day and ultimately– transform your life.

The power of setting boundaries

Dr. Henry Cloud, an author and leadership coach, is well known for his work on boundaries. Defining and communicating boundaries can make a huge difference in our professional and personal lives. Cloud’s teachings remind us that we often “get what we tolerate,” so establishing boundaries that align with our strengths is key to fostering healthy, productive relationships.

This week, I encourage you to identify an area where you could reinforce or set a new boundary. By leveraging your strengths, you can communicate these boundaries effectively and respectfully. Let’s take these steps to boost both our productivity and well-being as we move forward!

To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting

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Journal your way to a life with purpose. The Strengths Journal™ is the first and only Gallup-certified daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to dominate each day and ultimately– transform your life.

Enter into white space

As we enter Thanksgiving week, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the importance of “white space”—those strategic pauses that give us time to recharge and think deeply, as Juliette Funt discusses in her book, A Minute to Think. Whether you're gearing up for family gatherings or managing work responsibilities, white space is essential for our strengths to flourish and helps bring clarity to our goals.

This week, I encourage you to carve out brief “strengths minutes” for yourself. Take a few moments to jot down insights on what energizes you and what drains you, noting any patterns. This practice can help you repeat high-energy activities while navigating challenges with renewed awareness, even partnering with others who balance out your strengths.

To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting.

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Journal your way to a life with purpose The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified, daily planner that guides you to live in your strengths every day