Intentional Leaders Podcast with Cyndi Wentland

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What if our relentless pursuit of productivity is actually holding us back from a truly fulfilling life? Discover how Oliver Berkman's "4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals" challenges the traditional notions of time management by advocating for a more intentional and meaningful approach to how we spend our finite time on Earth. We dive into transformative ideas that encourage us to let go of the unrealistic quest for perfect productivity and to embrace the power of prioritizing what truly matters. By acknowledging our limitations and accepting the discomfort of incompleteness, we can break free from the stress of never-ending to-do lists and enjoy a more grounded, intentional existence.

Join us as we explore the art of living fully in the present, whether at work or home, and learn how to savor life's simple pleasures. We'll discuss five key concepts from Berkman's book, including the liberation that comes with focusing on the richness of each moment rather than on relentless achievements. Our conversation highlights how endless multitasking can rob us of meaningful experiences and how rethinking time management with intention can lead to a more focused and less stressful life. Tune in to discover how you can prioritize what truly counts in your limited time and foster a more deliberate, satisfying journey.

Be the Best Leader You Know

Perform with Power, Lead with Impact, Inspire Growth

To sharpen your skills and increase your confidence, check out the Confident Leader Course: https://www.intentionaleaders.com/confident-leader

I'd love to hear from you! Send a text message.

Can trust really be given rather than earned? Join us in challenging conventional wisdom as we unpack the transformative power of trust within leadership. Explore the compelling reasons why starting with a mindset of trust can serve as the cornerstone for building respect, enhancing performance, and fostering a collaborative environment. By flipping the script on trust, leaders can empower team members to take initiative, feel valued, and engage in open, transparent communication. This episode reveals how this shift can lead to stronger relationships, accelerated rapport, and heightened loyalty—key ingredients for effective leadership.

We'll dive into the crucial link between trust, risk-taking, and innovation. When leaders extend trust freely, they create an atmosphere where individuals feel liberated to step out of their comfort zones and embrace creativity without fear of negative consequences. Discover how embracing trust as a foundational element of leadership can inspire authenticity and a shared commitment to success. Tune in and transform your leadership approach to cultivate a more empowered and engaged team, equipped to tackle challenges and drive innovation.

Be the Best Leader You Know

Perform with Power, Lead with Impact, Inspire Growth

To sharpen your skills and increase your confidence, check out the Confident Leader Course: https://www.intentionaleaders.com/confident-leader

I'd love to hear from you! Send a text message.

Grief in the workplace is often a difficult subject to address, but imagine the profound transformation that empathetic leadership can bring. Maureen Desmond, a coach and consultant, joins us to share her remarkable journey from a successful media career to a calling that helps leaders manage change, loss, and grief with compassion. Her personal story, marked by the tragic loss of her sister early in her life, has been a guiding light in shaping her empathetic approach to leadership. We uncover how Maureen’s life experiences have uniquely positioned her to support C-suite leaders and HR professionals, making emotional intelligence a pivotal skill in their arsenal.

Leaders often shy away from addressing grief due to discomfort, leaving those who grieve feeling even more isolated. Maureen and I discuss why it’s critical to embrace the discomfort, normalize emotional expressions, and foster open, empathetic conversations in the workplace. Through Maureen's insights, we examine the transformative power of empathy and the importance of building a culture that values emotional well-being. We highlight practical steps leaders can take to educate themselves and their teams, promoting a supportive environment that not only acknowledges grief but also facilitates healing and connection.

The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have shown us the importance of resilience and intentionality in leadership. In this episode, we explore stories of strength and growth. Maureen exemplifies intentional leadership by putting empathy and active listening at the forefront, teaching us the value of presence in leadership roles. Finally, we encourage leaders to plan for emotional contingencies as meticulously as they would for operational ones, fostering a compassionate culture that supports both personal and professional growth. Don't miss our conversation about how intention and empathy can transform organizational dynamics.

Find Maureeen here: https://www.navigatingchangeandloss.com/about-us/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureendesmond/

Be the Best Leader You Know

Perform with Power, Lead with Impact, Inspire Growth

To sharpen your skills and increase your confidence, check out the Confident Leader Course: https://www.intentionaleaders.com/confident-leader

I'd love to hear from you! Send a text message.

Have you ever stopped to consider the true cost of venting at work? Join me on the Intentional Leaders Podcast as we unravel the surprising ways venting can sabotage not just your career, but also the morale and trust within your team. This episode isn't just about identifying the problem—it's a guide to transforming that urge to rant into opportunities for constructive change and leadership. By understanding the root causes of why we vent, we can break free from the cycle of negativity and learn to address issues head-on, fostering healthier communication and a more positive workplace environment.

Discover practical strategies to shift from being a passive complainer to an active problem-solver, and learn how to cultivate an atmosphere of mutual respect and open dialogue. Venting might offer momentary relief, but I'll show you how it traps us in a loop of unresolved issues and cognitive distortions. Together, let's move towards enhancing productivity and morale by addressing conflicts directly and constructively. This episode is your toolkit for leading with intention, influence, and integrity—no matter your position. Don't miss out on these insights that can transform not just your work life, but your leadership journey as well.

Be the Best Leader You Know

Perform with Power, Lead with Impact, Inspire Growth

To sharpen your skills and increase your confidence, check out the Confident Leader Course: https://www.intentionaleaders.com/confident-leader

I'd love to hear from you! Send a text message.

Unlock the secrets to a more grounded and productive workplace with our enlightening discussion with Lori Seitz of Zen Rabbit. How can the simple act of expressing gratitude transform leadership and team dynamics for the better? Lori reveals her insights and shares some compelling statistics on how gratitude can drastically boost employee morale, productivity, and retention.

Struggling with stress and looking for effective ways to manage it? Lori and Cyndi delve into the benefits of meditation and how integrating it into your daily routine can rewire your brain, enhance decision-making, and improve relationships. Hear about Lori's journey through the ups and downs of her Zen Rabbit cookie business and how gratitude and meditation practices help her navigate stressful times. Cyndi also shares her own success story with a 12-minute daily meditation habit, demonstrating tangible improvements in her sleep and overall well-being.

Discover practical, actionable advice on simple wellness habits that can lead to significant changes in your professional and personal life. Visit ZenRabbit.com for additional insights and tips on cultivating work-life balance, and join us in celebrating Lori's impactful contributions to personal and professional growth.

Find Lori here: https://zenrabbit.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/

Be the Best Leader You Know

Perform with Power, Lead with Impact, Inspire Growth

To sharpen your skills and increase your confidence, check out the Confident Leader Course: https://www.intentionaleaders.com/confident-leader

I'd love to hear from you! Send a text message.

Can regret actually be a powerful tool for growth and clarity? Join us as we unravel the surprising benefits of regret with insights from Daniel Pink's latest book, "The Power of Regret." Inspired by Pink's compelling presentation at the Association for Talent Development conference, we explore how regret can help us refine our values and improve decision-making. Pink's extensive research, including the enlightening World Regret Survey, reveals four core categories of regret: foundational, boldness, moral, and connection. Learn how to process these regrets to turn them into actionable insights for both personal and professional development.

Reflecting on past regrets can be a powerful catalyst for future success. In this episode, we emphasize the importance of staying connected with loved ones and how self-reflection can lead to better life choices. Drawing from Pink's findings, we encourage listeners to participate in the World Regret Survey and write down their own regrets to gain valuable perspectives. This practice not only minimizes future regrets but also fosters a stronger sense of personal empowerment. Don't miss out on this transformative discussion that promises to reshape your understanding of regret and its potential to enhance your life.

Be the Best Leader You Know

Perform with Power, Lead with Impact, Inspire Growth

To sharpen your skills and increase your confidence, check out the Confident Leader Course: https://www.intentionaleaders.com/confident-leader

I'd love to hear from you! Send a text message.

Ever wondered what it takes to stay committed to one organization for over three decades? Join us for an exclusive conversation with Corey Chambas, CEO of First Business Bank, as he uncovers the secrets behind his impressive 30-year tenure. Corey shares his thoughts on the dynamic environment and the unique camaraderie at the bank that have kept him engaged and loyal. Get to know the personal side of Corey as he discusses his hobbies, particularly collecting aged beers, and how these passions fuel his leadership.

Unlock the secrets of fostering a culture of innovation and growth as we dive into the importance of embracing change within an organization. Corey emphasizes the power of psychological safety and honest communication in encouraging risk-taking and learning from failures. Discover how First Business Bank creates opportunities for employee growth and attracts top talent by maintaining a balance between successful initiatives and lessons learned from those that don’t work. This chapter is filled with actionable insights for anyone looking to drive innovation and improve overall performance in their organization.

Corey also reveals the core values that define First Business Bank's culture and how they align with the principles from "The Ideal Team Player." Explore the traits of humble, hungry and smart that are crucial for recruitment, coaching, and performance management. Hear Corey’s heartfelt reflections on the importance of servant leadership and the distinction between wanting to "be" a manager versus wanting to "do" the job. With over 30 years of dedication, Corey’s insights offer a profound look at the collective effort needed to maintain a positive workplace culture where actions truly speak louder than words. Tune in for a deep dive into leadership, organizational values, and the keys to sustained success.

Find Corey here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreychambas/

Be the Best Leader You Know

Perform with Power, Lead with Impact, Inspire Growth

To sharpen your skills and increase your confidence, check out the Confident Leader Course: https://www.intentionaleaders.com/confident-leader

I'd love to hear from you! Send a text message.

Have you ever wondered why we feel the emotions we do and how we can harness them for personal and professional growth? This week, we sit down with Charles M. Jones, a leading emotion scientist and the visionary behind the Jones Theory of Emotion and Emotional Decoding. Charles shares a compelling story about a near-miss accident in the Alps that sparked his lifelong quest to understand and decode human emotions. His insights into the naturalness of flow states, the impact of developmental trauma, and the ways emotions arise in response to external events are nothing short of groundbreaking.

We delve into the concept of emotional victimhood and the critical importance of taking ownership of our emotions and needs. Charles outlines strategies for identifying and fulfilling subconscious needs, which are crucial for emotional self-sufficiency and personal growth. This discussion provides practical tools for developing an evolving emotional "operating system" that can transform how we navigate life's challenges, fostering growth and resilience.

Leaders, take note: emotional responsibility isn't just a personal development tool; it's a game-changer for workplace culture and leadership effectiveness. Charles emphasizes how empathetic leadership can revolutionize team dynamics by fostering environments where tough conversations lead to increased accountability and innovation. By understanding and addressing the underlying needs behind emotions, leaders can enhance their competencies and drive better organizational outcomes. Tune in for an episode rich with scientific insights and practical strategies for mastering emotional intelligence.

Find Charles here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesmj/
And his website here: https://www.charlesmjones.com/

Be the Best Leader You Know

Perform with Power, Lead with Impact, Inspire Growth

To sharpen your skills and increase your confidence, check out the Confident Leader Course: https://www.intentionaleaders.com/confident-leader

I'd love to hear from you! Send a text message.

Ever wonder how maintaining a beginner's mindset can transform your leadership journey? In this episode, we promise you'll learn how embracing openness, curiosity, and a lack of preconceptions can not only enrich your professional growth but also strengthen your leadership abilities.  Sharing my personal experiences from the Association for Talent Development conference, we highlight the incredible value of humility, creativity, and innovation that comes from starting fresh.

Taking deliberate steps to practice a beginner's mindset, especially when you're accustomed to showcasing your expertise, can be challenging but immensely rewarding. Encouraging this mindset within your teams, particularly among newer members, can foster a dynamic and innovative environment. This episode delves into how a beginner's mindset promotes resilience and adaptability, allowing us to see failures as learning opportunities rather than setbacks. Don't miss this episode on cultivating a mindset that can lead to significant transformation in your career and leadership approach.

Be the Best Leader You Know

Perform with Power, Lead with Impact, Inspire Growth

To sharpen your skills and increase your confidence, check out the Confident Leader Course: https://www.intentionaleaders.com/confident-leader

I'd love to hear from you! Send a text message.

Can understanding your strengths and values unlock your true potential? Join us as we welcome Sarah Viana, founder of Deliberately You, who transitioned from a successful HR career to a fulfilling journey in coaching. Sarah shares how her early experiences in a supportive organization sparked her passion for people development, ultimately leading her to immerse herself in a coaching community. 

Discover the intriguing dynamics between strengths and values through the Values in Action (VIA) Inventory. Sarah provides personal insights and practical examples, revealing how strengths like kindness can reflect deeply held values.  Learn about habit stacking as a method to develop lesser strengths by leveraging more dominant ones, and how balancing honesty with social intelligence can enhance effective and empathetic communication.

Maximizing leadership potential often hinges on meaningful connections and effective management of time and energy.  The role of trust in leadership, aligning individual growth with organizational needs, and the necessity of difficult conversations are explored in depth. Sarah also highlights the importance of authenticity, presence, and intentionality in fostering impactful relationships, advocating for a life lived deliberately and with purpose.

Find Sarah here:  Sarah (Walsh) Viana, ACC | LinkedIn

Home - Deliberately You

Be the Best Leader You Know

Perform with Power, Lead with Impact, Inspire Growth

To sharpen your skills and increase your confidence, check out the Confident Leader Course: https://www.intentionaleaders.com/confident-leader