IntHERrupt

Essential Ways to Motivate Yourself and Your Team

Getting to know Christine Hansen

Christine Hanes is the Vice President of Advocacy of NAR and is planning on running for the position of President in 2023. She’s been a licensed realtor since 1987 and a broker since 1989. She’s with the Century 21 Hansen Realty and enjoys working with everyone in the team. 

Motivate yourself and the team

• It’s important we have a vision of where we want to go so that we know when we arrive.
• Focus on your why because this helps you stay on the right track.
• With the noise around us, it’s difficult to stick to our schedule. The key is getting rid of the distractions around you. The best way to do this is by daily practice. 
• You need to understand what works for you. You don’t need to overcomplicate things by using other peoples’ methods. Just because it works for them doesn’t mean it’s going to work for you. 
• Keep yourself motivated by creating a list and writing down what you should do and what you want to do. Break down your list to bite-sized pieces so you won’t feel overwhelmed. 
• Keep a close connection with someone with whom you can call and talk to. 
• Don’t scare yourself by entertaining thoughts that turn into fear and anxiety. 
• It’s especially important to learn how to say No. Learn how to commit only to the things you can do and want to do. 
• As the leader, it’s important to get to know your team and emulate that team spirit. Consistently touch base with your teammates and ask how they are.
• Remember that there is nothing wrong with taking a little bit of time for yourself when you’re feeling down and depressed. 
• When people ask a question, don’t answer immediately. Take a breather and respond with a “Thank you so much for asking,” and tell them that you’ll get back to them. If your answer is No, thank them for the opportunity, and stop talking further. There is no need to justify your response. 

“Essential Ways to Motivate Yourself and Your Team” resources

Follow Christine Hansen 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.

Getting to know Elizabeth George

Elizabeth George works as a senior manager at Sensormatic, a subsidiary of Johnson Controls. She is a mother of two boys, 16 and 10 years old. Elizabeth is also a member of  Toastmaster International and has served in different capacities within the organization. 

Taking a step back

• Forcing someone to action may get you temporary success but as time goes by, things will revert back or may turn into a situation that is worse than you started. 
• It’s important to find balance. Look for where your team naturally excels and what your working environment has to offer. 
• Elizabeth started stamp collecting and included the help of her ten-year-old. She also used social media platforms and joined Facebook groups to occupy her time. It was a good thing to be busy during the pandemic.

Pivoting and moving forward 

• Do not be afraid of taking risks. This is what you need to do when you're going to an unknown position or new company. 
• Elizabeth took the leap when she was offered a management position, work that’s beyond her engineering scope. It was also a position where she needed to do extensive traveling. Before she accepted, she thought about the position and talked about it with her family. 
• The management position taught her many things. The risk she took allowed her to negotiate a new position within the company. 
• Coming from a different cultural background, Elizabeth needed to work on many issues. 
• You don’t go to work to make friends but when you do get to work, you need to build relationships with people who are ready to support you. 
• Look for a person to act as your sounding board. This could be a friend, a partner, or a family member. Having someone to talk to helps you put things in perspective. 
• When you need to take a step back to due to personal reasons, think of the long-term ramifications. Be patient and know that taking a step back allows you to have better doors opened for you in the future. 
• Leaders benefit when they listen to their team. 
• You are never going to go into a position without facing some obstacles. Think of these obstacles as your competition. 

“Two Steps Back to Move Forward” episode resources

Reach out and connect with Elizabeth George via 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.

How to Manage Jealousy

Getting to know Nancy Gault 

Linda Yates and Nancy Gault have known each other for 22 years. As a partner in a CPA FIRM and a certified valuation analyst, Nancy is the epitome of professionalism. She is a career woman who has the best of both worlds, her job and her family. 

Managing Interruptions

• Nancy always brings passion to the table and it shows in the way she cares for people. When you love what you do, you show up differently and as a result, she’s achieving success by doing what she loves. 
• Even when you’re not delivering good news, be honest and straightforward with prospects and clients. 
• Without interruptions, we would never know the pleasure of the successes we have. 
• We need to expect interruptions as part of our journey to success. 
• Great entrepreneurs pick their battles and put themselves in time out. They know when to remove themselves from the equation when an interaction isn’t going well.

Managing jealousy

• Nancy learned how to manage jealousy by perceiving peoples’ emotions around her. She doesn't think negatively of people and gives them credit for what they do. 
• You can manage jealousy by acknowledging and recognizing the value in other people and appreciating what they contribute.
• Humans can become jealous because of a variety of factors. Some reasons may include that they don’t have all the facts or they lack skill. 
• Managers need to sit down and ask the team what their goals are. Simply checking in on them and ensuring they are on the path to their personal successes goes a long way. 
• You can also manage jealousy by asking direct questions. It helps to understand the other person before you seek to be understood.
• It’s normal for people to have jealous feelings but having appreciation and recognizing peoples’ worth, with gratitude, can go a long way to manage these issues before they become detrimental. 
• Mentors are key to opening many doors on a personal and professional level. If you are a mentor, let your mentees know that you are available. You are their safe person and the one who helps them navigate a variety of issues.

“How to Manage Jealousy” episode resources

Reach out and connect with Nancy Gault via her 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.

Education and the Path to the C-Suite

Women in leadership roles are no longer a shocking thing. Still, women leaders face many challenges in fulfilling their roles successfully. 

Getting to know Dr. Michelle Johnston

 In this episode, Linda invited Dr. Michelle Johnston over to talk about stories and experiences to patch to the C-suites. Michelle’s career journey is a bit accidental for her. While she loved teaching from a very early age, this passion didn’t really come true until she became the president of the College of Coastal Georgia and previously the President of the University of Ohio. 

The path to the C-suite

• The work of leadership in administrative roles in campuses is an opportunity to be connected to students and serve educational missions at the same time. 
• It’s important to embrace the loss of something you are truly passionate about. It opens the door for you to love and invest into other things. The loss is a natural part when moving from one role to another. 
• In her role, Michelle always had people who encouraged her. It’s important to find the people who will walk you through the process and encourage you along the way. They are your soundboard. 
• One of the most important parts of leadership is listening. In that vein, being interrupted has always been part of the process of growth. 
• Being interrupted allows for challenges to come your way, without challenges your mind won’t work and look for solutions. You need to stretch yourself and your abilities to figure out how to do things effectively. 

Having the right attitude to success

• Michelle encourages persistence. Don’t give up on the kind of leadership you want. Be positive, persistent, and patience. You can’t be just patient, just persistent, and just patience. You need to embody all the three. 
• As a person with goals, you need to assess what path leads you to your success. If that is college, then do it. If you think self-study and connecting with women and leaders in the organization will help you, then do that. There is no one concrete path for all, everyone will have to take their own path. 
• Education comes in many forms and shapes. 
• It’s only through interconnection, working with each other, and helping with each other that you can become a success in your leadership role.

Why Women Should Engage in the Election

The 2020 election culminates on voting day tomorrow, and in this 100th anniversary year since women gained the right to vote, it’s important to understand why women should engage in the election. 

Sarah Lamar, an attorney from the law firm of HunterMaclean in Savannah, Ga., who calls herself a “political junkie,” believes that women should persevere and lean on each other in order to make their voices heard in politics. 

Women’s role in politics

• Women worked hard to make their voices heard, beginning with the prohibition movement which likely wouldn’t have happened without their participation.
• So much of what happens in this country originates in Congress, from economic issues to civil rights and engagement in war. Women must make their voices heard as part of these important conversations.
• The electoral college creates confusion but it amounts to each of us “telling” an elector from our state to cast a vote for a certain candidate. That elector casts a vote for a candidate based on the votes cast by people in the state. 
• The electoral college emerged as a compromise between a faction that wanted Congress to vote to decide the president, while another faction wanted the people to vote for the president. 

Wading through the rhetoric

• Knowledge is power. Your ability to learn about the issues determines whether you’re able to make an educated decision about issues that are on the ballot. Although the internet is a great resource for finding information, be careful about the sources you trust. Recognize the agenda of each resource and look for both sides of a conversation.
• When you’re deciding how to vote, research the organizations that are endorsing an issue to get a better understanding of its impact. 
• Talk about it with the people in your circle to get other perspectives. Strive to have civil discourse with people that you trust so you can share positions without feeling threatened. Realize that face-to-face communication is better than a social media debate.
• Ruth Bader Ginsburg famously said this: “Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” Articulate why you believe what you believe, and don’t judge others who disagree.
• To impact your community, get involved in organizations that influence the issues that are important. Talk to your representatives about the things that you’re worried about. They are there for you, and not the other way around.

Shaking up the status quo

• Don’t ever give up. Women outvote men in every presidential election since 1964. 
• It wasn’t until 1992 that the U.S. had more than 2 women serving simultaneously in the Senate. Now one-fourth of the Senate is made up of women.

LivingFacts.org Pew Charitable Trusts

How to be Heard Over the “Me Too” Movement 

Today’s guest is Amy Chorew and she’s going to speak about the “Me Too” movement, a hot topic in today’s generation. Amy sheds light on how our voices can be heard above the movement and how it has impacted women in leadership. 

Being interrupted 

• Amy has been interrupted many times due to her roles in the corporate world. 
• Emotional intelligence for Amy is more about the leadership skills. She took an emotional intelligence test and the results showed her the strengths and weaknesses she has. She learned that she needed to focus on being positive instead of reacting without thinking things through. 
• Amy’s coach taught her to come from a place of curiosity instead of just reacting. It was the first step to figure out how to handle interruptions. 

“Me Too” movement and women in leadership

• For Amy, some movements have a lot of whining. This is something she doesn’t tolerate. 
• The Woman Up group, started by the California Association of Realtors, put some strong legs in the process of becoming a better leader. 
• We are living in a time where many people are finally opening their eyes and ears.  There’s been an expansion of awareness and the “Me Too” movement is pushing that sense of awareness. 
• The “Me Too” movement was generally a women’s movement but it has opened doors and other platforms for everybody. It’s a movement of inclusion. People can articulate their thoughts and be who they are. 
• Many groups started to rewrite their leadership, their business management, and how things are done because of the movement. 
• For Amy, being demeaned means being taken at face value. She handled that by staying relevant and making sure to over-deliver. 

Overcoming negative experiences

• Have a better sense of self-worth and don’t take things personally. 
• Always believe in yourself because if you don’t, no one else will. It’s always good to take a few steps back to see the people who are supportive of your causes. 
• Amy suggests to not just agree. If you have them, voice your concerns and always research the facts. Back your solutions with data. 
• Get a mentor who will help you figure out how things work and how to connect with the right people. 

“How to be Heard Over the “Me Too” Movement” episode resources

• Check out Amy Chorew via LinkedIn. 
• 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.

How to Balance Good Health and Career

Le Bergin is the head trainer for FASTer Way to Fat Loss. She started out as a high school teacher before she pursued this journey of helping others with their health goals. In today’s episode, Le sheds light on her journey to personal growth and how it’s connected to fitness.

Good health impacts productivity

• Productivity is present in almost all aspects of human life - in marriage, in parenting, in vocation, and many others. 
• True growth lies in making each day better than the next. 
• Everyone has a different way of defining growth. Some are motivated by money while some are motivated by the quality of life. 
• Balancing your career and health can be challenging but if you make it your lifestyle, getting healthy becomes an extension of you. 
• Prioritizing yourself doesn’t mean it’s at the expense of someone else. You need to ensure that your decision to have good health is your own responsibility. 
• Le may have had a rocky start but with the help of her current husband, they’ve been able to build a second gym. Le learned to channel her pain through lifting weights. 
• Making good food choices makes a difference. It’s important to move toward eating clean and getting away from processed foods. As the energy level changes by what you consume, so does mood and concentration. With good nutrition, energy gets better and better quality of sleep occurs. As a result, creativity improves.
• Le Bergin thrives in overcoming interruptions. For her, it’s about resiliency and believing everyday is a gift. The more grateful you are, the less these interruptions bother you. 
• Three tips for success: Life is short, break stuff. Trust your gut. Remember your purpose. 

“How to Balance Good Health and Career” episode resources

Follow Le Bergin on Facebook and Instagram! You can also check out her business page on Facebook and at the official website. 

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.

I'm Not a Witch... I'm Just Assertive

Today’s guest is Sherry Chris, the CEO of the Realogy Expansion Brands. Her focus is guiding the strategic growth of brands. Under her leadership, she’s been able to grow REBs brand in over forty states and across six countries. In this episode, Sherry talks about her experiences as a woman leading in the workforce, the challenges she faced, and how she’s been able to overcome these obstacles. 

Being interrupted 

• Interruptions can be good or bad. Either way, they can force you to pause and evaluate if change needs to occur. 
• It is okay to be assertive and regardless of what people may think, you can be successful. The important thing is not compromising your beliefs. 
• People talked about how Sherry would be out of business within a year but that didn’t faze her. Instead, it made her stronger. Listening to people is good but when it’s not helping you move ahead,  it’s better to leave their opinions behind. 
• Women are more sensitive and when criticized, tend to succumb to the hurt. Sherry advises women to put blinders on and not listen to the noise. 
•  Surround yourself with people who are not critical, people who add value to you and the organization, and help you soar. 

Achieving success 

• Visualize your success, set short term goals for yourself, and once these goals are met, set another list of new goals. 
• Everyone needs mentors, they help you, and teach you the ropes. They end up teaching you how to be better. You find mentors by being gracious, by openly giving, and not asking for anything in return. That is how people are drawn to you. 
• Sherry doesn’t categorize people by their gender. She sees them as people who want to succeed and she helps them achieve that. 

“I'm Not a Witch... I'm Just Assertive” episode resources

Connect with Sherry Chris via her LinkedIn account. You can also visit their website and know more about Sherry and the company. 

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. 

Summary: Women who are leaders often hear criticisms. Figuring out how to overcome negativity can help you become successful  in your industry. 

Hear more about:

• What to do when criticized

• The positive impact of surrounding yourself with people offering value

• The importance of having mentors

I’m not your girl!

Many women have experienced being treated as though they are inferior. In this episode, Vidette Pires what being treated this way was like for her. Vidette is a technology strategist and she uses technology to improve profitability. 

Having a seat at the table

Oftentimes, women are given a seat at the table but organizations can treat them like token seats. Even after being on a career path for years, it can be difficult to feel your position doesn’t command the same respect as colleagues in the same position. It’s a challenge that has to be navigated well. 

Partner with the right people 

Having a seat at the table isn’t enough.  In that seat, you must be able to speak and be heard. In order to get this accomplished, you need the support of the right people to ensure that you’re not interrupted while sharing your ideas. Sometimes, you can speak and shortly after, another person relays the same idea, but it’s received better. The way around this is to create a process. 

For Vidette, this includes knowing if there is a hidden agenda, changing the tone, and thinking about the stakeholders who have a say in the outcome. She reaches out to them one by one and partners with her managers to drive the agenda. 

Have courage

It is equally important to take risks and have the courage to walk away. When respect is no longer offered, regardless of gender, sometimes you have to know when to walk away with your dignity intact. This can look differently depending on the need.  It may just mean getting up from a meeting to get some fresh air.  For deeper challenges it may mean leaving an organization that doesn’t support you or acknowledge your contribution.  

Women as leaders

Technology has helped women understand everyone’s perspective and what they have at stake. It allows you to connect and bring people to the table so everyone has a place. Reading books about leaders, especially women as leaders, also helps. 

“I’m not your girl!” episode resources

Connect with Vidette Pires 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.

Race in the Workplace

What has race got to do with one’s experiences in the workplace? Does it impact results? Let’s talk about that in this episode. Charlotte Prince Leonard is a healthcare executive now working as the Regional Director of Operations. She’s also a member of several non-profit organizations advocating for women. 

Challenges in the workplace 

The top of most corporations today still have a male-dominant culture. The challenge isn’t only on the gender, however, but it becomes more apparent when you’re a black female. At the corporate level, the challenge comes when there is a lack of representation among executives and as a result, some top performers don’t tend to have someone who will speak on their behalf. There is just not enough support for black females in the corporate culture. 

Men, on the other hand, naturally mentor and coach other men. Organizations have these cultures set up so leadership roles can be filled.  Unfortunately,women who are equally capable of taking over these positions aren’t groomed in the same way. 

Charlotte started an administrator job in 1989 and knows the importance of having support. She was fortunate enough to have women who were willing to mentor her throughout her career and they’ve helped provide opportunities along the way. 

When let go

Charlotte was then let go from a job she’d had for 10 years. The company had been like her family but she was let go due to organizational changes. The challenge for Charlotte was not knowing the deficiencies that led her dismissal. 

Even today, women continue to face obstacles so it’s important to have the right education and never give up. It’s important to continue learning and nurturing the skills that it will take to be competitive for leadership positions. You also don’t want to try to do it alone. Find the person in your organization who’s willing to help you up. Be proactive and apply for positions. Other skills you need to be a good leader are: 

• Show empathy
• Communicate
• Encourage people to do their best 

“Race in the Workplace” Episode Resources

Reach out to Charlotte Prince Leonard via her LinkedIn account. 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.