Joyosity

“Is this what I’m supposed to be doing?!” It may sound something like me complaining to my dear friends about work one too many times or just the nagging feeling and comments from those who know you best that you should “really try something else.” 

Either way, listen to that tiny inside voice that’s prodding you in a different direction and those trusted outside voices that know you best. Finding what brings you joy at work and what your purpose is is much easier said than done. The work will still be hard, but it will be worth it — not only for yourself but for those around you.

Tony shared how he found himself exiting the corporate finance world and the ways he differentiates which voices are worth listening to. (I think this advice is gold right here!)

He shared a classic quote that goes something like, “If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me.” But we both were quick to say that doesn’t mean you go the journey alone. It just means you take control of your life and your career.

If you’ve been ignoring that quiet nudge to something bigger or different or just healthier, I invite you to listen to this one in hopes it helps you weed out the noise and trust your intuition:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq5S9tXcpa8 

Here’s what we talked about:

04:47 Who is Tony Martignetti

09:07 How to find joy and purpose at work

13:03 What outside voices you should trust

16:30 Why some mentorship relationships go bad

Links:

https://www.ipurposepartners.com/ 

“Ugh, I swear I’ve answered that 5 million times.” You’ve thought that, haven’t you? Some days, as leaders, it feels like all we’re doing is repeating ourselves.

When LaShonda recognized this as an entrepreneur speaking to her clients, she did something brilliant… She started posting her “how to’s'' on Youtube. It changed her career. Now she works a 20-hour week and makes real money from the platform.

The idea that we must work harder in order to work better is just a lie.

In today’s world of ever-changing technology and more of our work being done behind screens, LaShonda believes there’s a better way. Leveraging tech doesn’t have to be complicated and can give you more time for the “real life” things you’re longing for. (hello, real books with real pages and that whole green stuff outside called grass)

If you’re longing for more time away from your screens without jeopardizing your work or your business, LaShonda will change your life and the way you work. Take a peek at her YouTube if you want to start learning from her:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRnauTtDT90

Here’s what we talked about:

05:11 Who is LaShonda Brown

09:48 How to shift your mindset around hard work

13:23 How to stop doing work you weren’t meant to do
17:44 Ways to leverage tech so you stop repeating yourself

Links: https://www.lashondabrown.com/ 

When you’ve been performing since age four, the line between your work and your worth gets a little fuzzy. Jeff Koziatek shared with us his philosophy of separating the performer from the performance and how you apply this in your own work, whatever field you’re in.

Jeff shared how he made a major shift in his work by focusing on the audience more and himself less. He also talked about the power of genuine curiosity—a value both of us operate from. We both agree that having a team that feels safe to bring up new ideas and to fail is the fastest way to success.

His reminder that our work — whether it’s on a public stage or private cubicle — is really just a gift to our audience. This people get to choose to accept it or not was a reminder I know I needed this week! If you have thoughts after this conversation, feel free to join us in the comments!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR9PGymGi3I

Here’s what we talked about:

05:26 The difference between a performer vs a performance

08:30 Ways to make it less about you and more about the audience

11:07 What does the power of curiosity do for connection

14:30 Why creating a safe culture will benefit your team

16:52 Your best work is a gift that won’t always be accepted

Links: https://www.coreauthenticity.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkoziatek/

Command and control leadership. Most of us loathe these types of leaders, and I can count on one hand the organizations that need this type of leadership. The rest of us? The rest of us need authentic leaders. But here’s the kicker: we still need strong leaders. Leaders that aren’t afraid to voice their point of view… even if it’s a little spikey.

In this conversation, one of my business coaches (and an Enneagram 8) Kate Harris joins us to talk about what leadership looks like and how clarity is the first step. We talked about how there has been some buzz on social media about this “POV” trend and what point of view really means and doesn’t as a leader.

Kate puts it so eloquently: “I’m going over here, do you wanna come with?” It’s not forcing others into our way of thinking. It’s voicing what we’re going to do, what we believe, and standing strong. Those who are meant to be a part of our work will come.

Kate challenged us all to write a personal manifesto. As someone who’s already done this thanks to Kate, I can tell you that it will change the way you work and the way you talk about your work. For me, I believe work should be a joy. If you’d like to hear the whole thing send me a DM or comment on our show, and I’ll send it your way!

Here’s what we talked about:

05:25 Who is Kate Harris?

08:45 What POV means as a leader

12:26 Why good leadership matters

15:07 How crafting your personal manifesto helps at work

20:38 Speaking clearly as a leader

Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-harris-47139b174/ 

I’ve learned through poor (and positive!) leadership examples that workplace culture isn’t just fun Fridays and ping-pong tables. Being a leader requires a lot of hard work, humility, and empathy.

In this episode, Shed shares his definition of culture — it’s a formula for all of you visual learners out there — and the markers you should be paying attention to so you can create a culture that’s not only kind but honest.

He shares one of my favorite leadership beliefs: You can’t lead anyone else until you now yourself. Shed gives great wisdom on ways to check in with your team to see what kind of leader you are.

One of Shed’s rules I’ve implemented in my work and home is the “platinum rule,” not to be confused with the golden rule.

If you have thoughts to share, join us in the comments! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVH3dxqhdnA

Here’s what we talked about:

05:31 How did Shed get to doing this work

07:50 Defining workplace culture

10:45 How relationship influences your leadership

18:25 How to know if you’re a good leader

19:32 The platinum rule (vs the golden rule)

22:07 How to receive critical feedback as a leader

Links: https://www.shedinspires.com/

Shed’s book: https://www.speakupculture.com/ 

An engaged workplace is productive, joyful, and most importantly, requires a brave leader. Now when I say brave, I don’t mean that you have to go bungee jumping off bridges or step in front of cars to save kittens.

Bravery is a set of skills. You can learn the actions of bravery…even when you’re not feeling it.

In this episode, I share the 5 skills every brave leader needs in order to lead a healthy and joyful team. Hint: one of them has to do with the glass floor at the Sears Tower in Chicago. How do we engage our team in a way that’s fun and challenging, but they feel safe while doing so?

I’d love to hear what you thought in the comments! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxX2zPXJK0Q

Here’s what we talked about:

05:45 Why is emotional regulation at work important

08:47 How to welcome questions at a meeting

10:03 What great relationships and teams need

12:45 How to communicate boundaries as a leader

16:19 Tips for making decisions more effectively

https://jennwhitmer.com/spark-call

You can be really good at your job and really… inexperienced at leading others. It’s a tale as old as time (Yes, cue the Disney tune).

I see it often when working with teams for workshops or keynotes. Fabulous nurses, engineers, graphic designers, etc. get promoted to leadership positions, but they’ve had no guidance on how to lead effectively.

It’s not really their fault. It's just a gap in training!

Paul and I shared a few tips here for how to hire correctly the first time, ways to delegate that will save you time in the long run, and how to make sure as your company grows you remain people-centered (and in turn, an efficient and profitable team.)

Here’s a hint: just because you like someone doesn’t mean they’ll be a great fit for your team!

Join us in the comments if you have anything to add or questions about how to train or be an effective leader: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ89D42BmlA

Here’s what we talked about:

06:44 Stages of leadership

09:27 The gap between skills and leadership

13:33 How to hire right the first time

15:52 Tips for delegating better

Links: https://pauldavidmather.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauldavidmather/

Resilience is not something we are, it's something we work at. As a fellow finding-joy-at-work believer, Jenny and I are on the same page about SO much. What I loved hearing most from Jenny is what the physiology of stress looks like in the body and, more importantly, what we can do with that physical response!

We each have our own lingo for the parts of the brain that takeover when stressed, but the gist is how do we get our stressed-out brain to take a break so our rational brain can take charge?

If you’ve felt your world moving faster and faster, and you’re recognizing the need to tap back into your purpose, this episode will be a perfect listen for you!

If you have any questions or follow-up thoughts, join us in the comments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbQboJS19EE

Here’s what we talked about:

05:40 Who is Jenny Blake

07:42 Defining resiliance

10:15 What happens to the body when we’re stressed

15:24 How to handle stress in your body

18:17 Why tapping into purpose matters

When the panic rises. When the emotions are high. Where are your thoughts? As a leader, your ability to control your thoughts is directly linked to your ability to lead. Full stop.

In this episode, I’m sharing my recent experience with panic and inner thoughts and sharing something I will ALWAYS get on my soapbox about: leading yourself first.

In my newsletter this week, I gathered what stories are common with each Enneagram type and ways to shift yours next time they show up.

Understanding and controlling your inner dialogue is a process. It’s not easy, but knowing where to start and what your values are will make a huge difference. If you’re interested in what your enneagram type is, let’s figure it out together!

If you have thoughts or questions, join me in the comments!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuJlu2mGSoQ

Here’s what we talked about:

03:38 How to deal with panic

06:12 How to control your inner dialogue

10:45 Understand your leadership mindset

12:15 How to change your internal narrative and why it matters

https://jennwhitmer.com/joyosity-retreat-march

https://jennwhitmer.com/enneagram-typing

"A hard conversation is a negotiation with an attitude.” Have you heard a better explanation?! I will never go into another hard conversation again without Kwame’s words echoing in my head.

Kwame, a negotiation expert, author, and podcast host, joined us live to talk about how our internal stories influence our conversations and our negotiations. How we talk to ourselves — and the stories that we deem as truths — are so important in leadership. Are we aware of them?

We talked about our ability to craft and edit our own stories, we shared a few funny stories about chess and internal dialogue, and Kwame shared his Compassionate Curiosity Framework. (Which you know I was all about!)

What I loved most was how he shifted this framework for conflict and conversations with yourself. Labeling emotions, getting curious, and extending compassion both to ourselves and others is the fast track to great leadership. I know that in my joy and curiosity-loving heart, hence the entire mission behind Joyosity.

If you want to have a good chuckle take a listen to Kwame’s story about chess here: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7155922892537368576/comments/

Here’s what we talked about:

04:14 How did Kwame get to be an expert at negotiation

05:44 Conflict and negotiation

12:32 The compassionate curiosity framework

17:07 Thoughts vs truths