IntHERrupt

In today’s episode of the IntHERrupt podcast, our host Linda Yates meets with LaTrelle Porter to discuss ageism in the workplace, and how to effectively combat it.

Porter’s Background

• Porter was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia and has a LONG background in education. She has several degrees, ranging from bachelor’s degrees in management and HR, to her PhD in management.
• She currently works for the local government in Savannah. Porter owns a bakery business and also is involved in several different organizations.
• You can read more about her here: https://www.savannahga.gov/directory.aspx?EID=161

Ageism in the Workplace

• Porter defines ageism as discrimination usually, but not always, against older people in the workplace. Sometimes it’s subtle and other times it’s blatant. Specifically, Porter finds that people over 40 are the targets of ageism, and expects ageism to grow in the next few years.
• The first step to combating ageism is: Understanding different perspectives and biases. Everyone carries biases, whether we realize it or not. Understanding these biases is the first step in overcoming them. Everyone brings something to the table, regardless of their age.
• The second step is: Genuine conversation. Talk to others and TRULY listen to them. Learn their differences so you can better understand their point of view. This will help you avoid discriminating against them.
• Older people can learn the ins and outs of technology and social media from younger generations and coworkers.
• Younger people, meanwhile, can learn things like institutional knowledge and processes from older coworkers.

Leading Multigenerational Teams

• When you’re leading a team made up of multiple age groups, there are some KEY points that Porter suggests.
• Understand your leadership style and the leadership style of your team. Everyone has a different leadership style. Understanding how your team members follow is KEY in actually being able to lead them.
• Be genuine. Understand your team members and offer them ALL the same opportunities. Don’t view your team members as that, team members. Instead, view and understand them as individuals.

Ageism is a HUGE potential detriment in the workplace. Understanding it is the first step in combating it. Take these tips and use them to prevent ageism in your team. That way, you’ll ENSURE you’re all working at maximum efficiency.

Do you have stories to tell? Connect with Linda to share them. This podcast is produced by TSE Studios. Check out other podcasts by TSE Studios, including this episode’s sponsor, The Sales Evangelist, helping new and struggling sellers close more deals and achieve their sales goals. Subscribe to the IntHERrupt Podcast so you won’t miss a single show. Find us on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, and Stitcher. Audio created by Ryan Rasmussen Productions.

In today’s episode of IntHERrupt, our host Linda Yates goes over values and their importance for leaders as the new year begins.

What are your values?

• All a value refers to are things that are IMPORTANT to you. It could be your health, your family, or your career. Anything that holds significance to you and carries a lot of weight is one of your values. The first step in utilizing them as a leader is identifying them.
• Identify between 3 and 5 of your values and WRITE THEM DOWN. Now that they’re written down, think, are there ANY of them that you could live without? If there are, then that’s not a high value.
• After that, rank your values. Which one is the MOST important to you? How about the LEAST important?

Why are values important?

• Your values determine what goals you reach, and how you reach them. If your values do NOT align with your goals, then you won’t hit that goals! Your goals and values HAVE to align for you to reach the outcome you’re wanting.
• Values also help teams work together and make decisions together. If you’re faced with a difficult situation or dilemma, you can ALWAYS fall back on your values to help you move forwards.
• As a leader, values help you lead your team as well. With a strong, good, set of core values in place your team either WILL or WILL NOT align with those values. For the team members that don’t align with your values, you can either help them realign or find a new team member who does align.

Changing values

• Your CORE VALUES are designed to help you reach your goals. If your values don’t help you reach those goals, then you CAN change them.
• A tip that Linda learned was to have a personal mission statement. Having a personal mission statement helps to create unity between you and your team members. Everyone knows WHAT the goal is and can together WORK towards that goal.

Identify your values and utilize them. Values are CRITICAL for leaders to not only help themselves, but their ENTIRE TEAM work together towards their goals.

Do you have stories to tell? Connect with Linda to share them. This podcast is produced by TSE Studios. Check out other podcasts by TSE Studios, including this episode’s sponsor, The Sales Evangelist, helping new and struggling sellers close more deals and achieve their sales goals. Subscribe to the IntHERrupt Podcast so you won’t miss a single show. Find us on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, and Stitcher. Audio created by Ryan Rasmussen Productions.

In today’s episode of IntHERrupt, our host Linda talks with Jordan LaSalle on how you can be comfortable with your particular leadership style.

Meet your team member instead of forcing them to come to you

• Jordan has a background with teaching, and one VITAL thing she kept in mind throughout her career is: Meet the STUDENT instead of forcing the student to meet her. People learn and work differently, so if you want to effectively teach, or lead, you have to go to whoever you’re in charge of.
• Emotional intelligence is key to this. Be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of your team, or in Jordan’s case students, and play to their strengths. Optimize things FOR your team so you can effectively work.

Be authentic and build a genuine relationship with the people you’re leading

• After she worked in teaching, Jordan transitioned to being the vice president of education at her school. Just like she had done with her students, she focused on being GENUINE with the people under her.
• Jordan did an exercise where she had everyone she worked with create a “user manual.”. The manual asked a few questions: What brings out the best in me, what brings out the worst in me, and here’s how to work most effectively with me. Not only does this build a relationship between you and your workers, but it also gives you an idea of HOW to effectively lead and work with them.

Understand your role in the team, as well as the role of everyone else

• Jordan got her position while the pandemic was just beginning. Her, along with her team members, were all worried about the future and what direction the team would be heading in.
• You have to remember: The job of your teammates is not to bear your weight. You, as a leader, are supposed to be a pillar and source of STRENGTH for your team. Now, this doesn’t mean you can’t rely on them. But focus on supporting your TEAM instead of having your team support you.

Recognize other people’s expertise

• You may be the leader of a group or business, yes, but you’re not omnipotent.
• In Jordan’s career, she works with a board of experts and meets with them frequently. Although she is in a HIGHER position than the other board members, she also recognizes and respects their insight. Jordan isn’t directly involved in EVERYTHING, so listening to the other board members and taking their insights into account helps her run things smoothly.

Don’t be afraid of vulnerability

• There’s a common, and unfortunate, misconception that leaders have to ALWAYS be strong and NEVER show weakness or vulnerabilities. The issue with this, again, is not being genuine.
• Nobody is perfect. There is no perfect leader or team member. Instead of CONSTANTLY chasing after perfection, chase after progress. Don’t be afraid to show your vulnerabilities! One tool Jordan uses are language cues. Saying things like “I’m going out on a limb” shows you’re not completely certain about what you’re going to say, but also makes you more human and genuine.

The final three points

• Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you.
• Embrace who you truly are.
• Be able to find humor in yourself and in situations.

Take all of these considerations in mind to become a better leader, and connect more with your team.

Do you have stories to tell? Connect with Linda to share them. This podcast is produced by TSE Studios. Check out other podcasts by TSE Studios, including this episode’s sponsor, The Sales Evangelist, helping new and struggling sellers close more deals and achieve their sales goals. Subscribe to the IntHERrupt Podcast so you won’t miss a single show. Find us on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, and Stitcher. Audio created by Ryan Rasmussen Productions.

In today’s episode of IntHERrupt, Linda talks with Karen Laos and discusses how you can keep communication effective and efficient, even when faced with difficulties.

Remain confident

• Confidence is key, not only in communication but in life in general. During Karen’s long career, she realized that she was able to ALWAYS communicate effectively when she had confidence.
• Karen, always felt confident with her communication when she felt she was offering something valuable. Find whatever helps you remain confident, and keep it in mind while communicating.

Don’t be afraid to question authority

• The idea of NEVER questioning authority is drilled into most of us from a very early age. Any authority figure who gives us a task or order is to be obeyed at all costs.
• However, blindly trusting and following authority isn’t always the right solution. Trust your boss, yes, but also trust your gut. If something feels off before you communicate, talk to your boss. Explain what you think could be improved. Remember: It’s NEVER too late to change course or adjust plans.

Plan and prepare beforehand

• The common saying is failing to plan is planning to fail. This is ESPECIALLY true in communication.
• Karen roleplays with her clients frequently and ALWAYS has a plan to fall back on. Without a plan, more often than not, we become stuck and unable to communicate. When we have a plan to fall back on, however, we know how to continue.
• One tool that Karen is specifically a fan of is pausing. If you find yourself rambling or losing focus, then pause. Follow it up by saying my point is. This lets the audience know that you ACTUALLY have a point and helps to refocus yourself.

Ask the right questions in advance

• Even with the best planning and the highest confidence in the world, if you go into a situation without an understanding of what you’re aiming to achieve, you won’t effectively communicate.
• Ask your boss or authority figure questions! If there’s something you’re unsure of DON’T be afraid to ask for clarification. With clear and concise information, you’ll be better prepared and more likely to communicate well.

Understand what makes communication effective

• If you don’t already have a grasp of WHAT effective communication is, then how could you possibly hope to actually utilize it?
• To Karen, effective communication is communication that allows all parties involved to clearly understand whatever is being communicated. A LOT of factors go into this, ranging from things like tone and body language to understanding and purpose, as well as what we’ve already covered. Having an understanding of all of these will ENSURE you can communicate effectively.
• Be obsessively curious. This is another CRITICAL tool that Karen uses in her communication. You’re trying to talk TO a person, not AT a person. Ask questions, take time to listen to the other person’s response, genuinely engage with them, and show interest.

All of these tips and lessons will help you to become a FAR more potent and EFFECTIVE communicator. Master them and you can master the art of effective communication, even when faced with difficulties!

Do you have stories to tell? Connect with Linda to share them. This podcast is produced by TSE Studios. Check out other podcasts by TSE Studios, including this episode’s sponsor, The Sales Evangelist, helping new and struggling sellers close more deals and achieve their sales goals. Subscribe to the IntHERrupt Podcast so you won’t miss a single show. Find us on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, and Stitcher. Audio created by Ryan Rasmussen Productions.

In your work and life dealing with different personalities can be a challenge. How you are able to relate and deepen the relationship will be a leadership trait that will always serve you.  In today’s episode of IntHERrupt, Linda is joined by Amie Migirova owner and lead stylist of Emma Justine Color & Extension Lounge discussing to relate and communicate with a variety of personalities.

Building rapport

• Starting out can be difficult.
• Being an introverted can be overcome in building rapport.
• Ask questions.
• Quiet appointments are trending in salons right now to reduce stress.
• Variety of ways to build rapport with different personalites.
• Sometimes you have to dig deeper and step out of your comfort zone.

Tips on relating to others

• Keeping the conversation “light” when the conversation is stalled.
• Staying positive when someone is negative.
• Bring your best table to the interaction.
• Get the other person to talk about themselves.

Leading a team

• Get training to develop your and your team’s communication skills.
• Strive to grow constantly.
• Asking yourself how you can serve your team.
• Lead by example.
• Balance between being the leader and friend.
• Look for a peer group in your industry or common role.
• Caring for your team.

“A negative person doesn’t always love negative people.” – Amie Migirova

For more content and information from Amie, connect with her on LinkedIn or visit her company website at https://emmajustinesalon.com. Do you have stories to tell? Connect with Linda to share them. This podcast is produced by TSE Studios. Check out other podcasts by TSE Studios, including this episode’s sponsor, The Sales Evangelist, helping new and struggling sellers close more deals and achieve their sales goals. Subscribe to the IntHERrupt Podcast so you won’t miss a single show. Find us on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, and Stitcher. Audio created by Ryan Rasmussen Productions.

It can be easy to forget the potential you have. Self-doubt, adversity, and outside opinions can all take a toll. In today’s episode of IntHerrupt, Linda is joined by Ashley Winston, international speaker, author and business advisor to explore how to realize your potential.

Life happens

• Often, we are headed one direction then we feel called to pivot.
• Don’t buy into other people’s perspective of you – follow your heart.
• Pursuing God opened the doors for Ashley to realize her true potential and calling.

Overcoming doubts

• Root of doubt is fear.
• Be cautious of the stories you are telling yourself. 
• Whatever you feed will lead.
• Faith is rooted in love.

Changing your story

• We have a tendency to relive what happened in our childhood if we don’t take steps to acknowledge and heal.
• You can decide to empower yourself.
• Removing the mask, you put on to the world will allow you to be authentic and reach your potential.
• Create an environment for yourself that is conducive to growth.
• Make sure you have the right people in your tribe that you can trust.

“Fear holds us back from realizing our potential” – Ashley Winston

For more content and information from Ashley, connect with her on LinkedIn or visit her company website at www.TheAshleyWinston.com. Do you have stories to tell? Connect with Linda to share them. This podcast is produced by TSE Studios. Check out other podcasts by TSE Studios, including this episode’s sponsor, The Sales Evangelist, helping new and struggling sellers close more deals and achieve their sales goals. Subscribe to the IntHERrupt Podcast so you won’t miss a single show. Find us on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, and Stitcher. Audio created by Ryan Rasmussen Productions.

On today’s episode of IntHERrupt, Linda speaks with author, speaker, and consultant, Rita Ernst. They discuss the best ways to deal with micromanagers, how to deal with your own micromanager tendencies and positive leadership traits. 

What is a micromanager?

• Management on a continuum. A micromanager dictates and controls at an obsessive level. 
• 3 things that you need to feel fulfilled in the workplace are mastery, autonomy, and belonging. Micromanagers take away your autonomy and challenge your competence. 
• You can better deal with a micromanager by understanding their psychological driver, asking them for what you need, and being persistently patient. 

How do you deal with your own micromanager tendencies?

• Be vulnerable with yourself and find your own psychological driver. 
• Give your team permission to name when you are falling into micromanager tendencies. 
• Ask for more of what you need from your team. 

Best leadership traits

• Rita believes that the best leadership traits are listening, questioning/curiosity, and empathy. 

Has Rita ever been interrupted? 

• Rita was interrupted when she took time off of work to stay at home and take care of her daughter. It was difficult for her to take time away from her career. 
• When Rita is being interrupted she remembers her core values and what is personally important to her. 

Episode Resources

• If you want to hear more from Rita check out her website. 

Do you have stories to tell? Connect with Linda to share them. This podcast is produced by TSE Studios. Check out other podcasts by TSE Studios, including this episode’s sponsor, The Sales Evangelist, helping new and struggling sellers close more deals and achieve their sales goals. Subscribe to the IntHERrupt Podcast so you won’t miss a single show. Find us on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, Youtube, and Stitcher. Audio created by Ryan Rasmussen Productions.

On today’s episode of IntHERrupt our host, Linda Yates talks about showing gratitude as a leader. She recounts experiences from her childhood, career, and personal life when others have shown her gratitude. Linda also gives you her three “P’s” of gratitude. 

Personal, Present, and Positive 

As you are showing gratitude, make it personal by using an individual's name. Try to show gratitude for things that are presently happening and always keep it positive. Remember that light breeds light! We can cancel out the negativity and harshness around us by showing gratitude.

Linda challenges you to write down what you are grateful for when you are having discouraging moments in your life. There is power in putting something in writing. 

Lastly, Linda wants to thank you, the listener! 

Do you have stories to tell? Connect with Linda to share them. This podcast is produced by TSE Studios. Check out other podcasts by TSE Studios, including this episode’s sponsor, The Sales Evangelist, helping new and struggling sellers close more deals and achieve their sales goals. Subscribe to the IntHERrupt Podcast so you won’t miss a single show. Find us on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, Youtube, and Stitcher. Audio created by Ryan Rasmussen Productions.

On today’s episode of IntHERrupt, our host, Linda Yates, talks with marketing expert, Cynthia Beckles, about how to balance your time as a leader in a volunteer organization. 

Why is volunteering important? 

• Cynthia has found volunteering as a healthy outlet away from her job to find fulfillment and make a real difference. 
• She has learned how to inspire a shared vision and treat everyone involved with respect. 

How can you motivate volunteers that aren’t measuring up?

• Take the time to meet with them, without singling them out, and find out if their current position isn’t a good fit. Move them to a different position that will help them to find their ‘why’. 
• Cynthia still remembers the advice of a mentor from 21 years ago, a good mentor can motivate someone to stay and grow. 

How do you manage your job, life, and volunteer work?

• Cynthia finds common ground within the different aspects of her life and is able to compartmentalize them.
• Have a plan and do an evaluation afterward. 

What does Cynthia wish she’d known?

• Make sure that everyone knows what is going on and make sure that people realize this is not their job, it's a volunteer effort. 
• The minute volunteering feels like a job, that’s when you start losing people. Acknowledge your volunteers and give them special recognition. 
• Make sure the volunteers are getting what they need. 

Has Cynthia been interrupted?

• The pandemic interrupted Cynthia’s life and forced her to learn more about digital marketing. 
• Cynthia views interruptions as an opportunity to learn new skills and make new connections. 

Do you have stories to tell? Connect with Linda to share them. This podcast is produced by TSE Studios. Check out other podcasts by TSE Studios, including this episode’s sponsor, The Sales Evangelist, helping new and struggling sellers close more deals and achieve their sales goals. Subscribe to the IntHERrupt Podcast so you won’t miss a single show. Find us on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, Youtube, and Stitcher. Audio created by Ryan Rasmussen Productions.

Sometimes, we get stuck in a cycle where we burn out quickly. In this episode, Jenessa Fillipi talks about the value of finding meaningful work even if you don’t get paid. 

Getting to know Jenessa Fillipi

• Jenessa Fillipi has been a mother of four and an elementary counselor for the last 15 years. Aside from that, Jenessa is the executive director of Down Home Nonprofit in Fargo, North Dakota. 
• Jennesa and her husband have very different talents. Her husband is a very skilled handyman. He has his own business and he can take about anything apart and put it back together. 
• Despite the different careers, both Jenessa and her husband love connecting with people. Over the years, they’ve talked about how they can utilize his gift in handiwork and construction and her love for design and transforming a space into something that people could love.
• Three years ago, Jenessa felt the stir to do something else. She felt that there was still something missing in her life. Along with her husband, they dug deeper and asked for the input of their kids on what makes a house a home. They realized then that they could use their talents for bigger purposes. There are thousands of men, women, and children in the Fargo community that are sleeping on the floor. This was how Down Home came to life. 

The Work-Life Harmony

• Jenessa figured that for her to feel harmonized, she needed to draw close to one who is greater than herself. 
• In both her life and her work, she gives 110% of her effort. She learned to take deep breaths and she learned to let go of other tasks to focus her mind on the things that she wanted and needed to be good at. 
• As an elementary school counselor, she doesn't have to grade papers. There is still paperwork but that doesn't include grading the children’s work. 
• In Renata Bower’s book, Free to B., Jenessa’s biggest take is that we all have unique gifts and talents that we’re good at. 
• It’s important to recognize the things you’re good at instead of focusing on the things that you’re not good at. 
• Another lesson that Jennesa learned is that mistakes have their purpose, too. It’s critical that you give yourself grace when you make mistakes, especially when you’re not getting paid or you’re not paid well. You can’t lose your way because that would keep you from moving forward. 
• Make sure that you provide time for yourself. Sometimes, when we’re too passionate about something, we get caught up and it affects other relationships. 
• Take the time to invest in the people around you: your family, spouse, and children. 

Challenges today

• Jenessa is now looking at a transition this year. It’s difficult to let go of a career she has invested in for the last 15 years and focus her time on Down Home. 
• To overcome the challenge, she’s putting more effort into helping fill the gap within the community. They invite more people into the Down Home family and maximize their resources to help more needy people. 
• Jenessa’s mother has been a huge help to them and to Down Home. There have been several people behind the scene who are helping Jenessa in creating Down Home.  
• Life is full of interruptions but when these things happen, she makes sure that she puts up a plan as best as she can. 
• She’s also trying to prioritize the interruptions, whether it’s the kids when she’s trying to do something or talking to people over video calls. 

“The Value of Finding Meaningful Work (Even if You Don’t Get Paid for it)” episode resources

Check out and follow Jenessa Fillipi on LinkedIn. 

Do you have more stories to tell? Talk to Linda Yates here. This podcast is produced by TSE Studios. Check out other podcasts by the TSE Studios including The Sales Evangelist and more. 

This episode is sponsored by The Sales Evangelist, helping new and struggling sellers close more deals and smash their quotas. Int-HER-rupt Podcast is produced by the team at TSE Studios, 

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to the Int-HER-rupt Podcast so you won’t miss a single interview. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, and Stitcher. You can also leave comments, suggestions, and ratings for every episode you listen to. Audio created by Ryan Rasmussen Productions.