In today’s episode, we dive into the art of building a thriving workplace culture with David Gaylord, CEO and co-founder of Bushbalm, a leader in Bikini Line Skin Care. David shares the inspiring origin story of Bushbalm and how it evolved into a brand found in all Ulta Beauty locations, used by over 4,000 professional estheticians, and boasting a strong social media presence.

Resources:

Welcome to a special Mental Health Month episode where we dive into the top 2024 mental health trends every leader should be aware of. In this episode, we explore the significant role managers play in shaping employee well-being, based on insights from Calm app’s latest report.

We discuss two out of three major factors negatively impacting mental health in the workplace: financial woes, technology burnout, and the dual role of managers as both the problem and the solution. (Tune in to our next episode for a doozy discussion on financial woes).

We provide actionable advice on how managers—those on the front lines but often without the power to enact company-wide policies—can identify early signs of mental strain in their teams and implement supportive strategies to promote a healthier work environment.

Tune in to learn:

By the end of this episode, you’ll have practical tips on how to support your team’s mental health and create a more positive and productive work environment. Remember, your leadership can make a significant difference in the lives of your employees.

** We value your feedback. Please leave a review and let us know what topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes. Your input helps us tailor our content to your needs. **

Resources:

https://business.calm.com/2024-voice-of-the-workplace-report/

In this episode, we're diving into the world of meetings and asking some big questions. Ever wonder why some meetings leave you feeling energized and inspired while others drain you? Or maybe you're curious about how to make meetings more effective and productive?

We're chatting about the ups and downs of meetings, from the benefits to the drawbacks. Why is it so important to have a clear purpose and guidelines for meetings? And what happens when meetings become more of a hindrance than a help?

Join us as we explore the impact of non-critical meetings on productivity and discuss strategies for reducing unnecessary ones. Have you ever thought about implementing no-meeting days or carving out time for focused work? How could that change the game for you?

We're also talking about alternative forms of communication, like asynchronous methods. Ever tried sending video updates or voice messages instead of hopping on another Zoom call? Let's explore how these approaches can offer flexibility and convenience.

And of course, we'll touch on the importance of documentation after meetings. How can we ensure that important information doesn't get lost in the shuffle? Transcriptions and action items might just be the key.

So if you're ready to rethink the way we approach meetings and reclaim some of your time for deep work, this episode is for you. Tune in as we share insights, tips, and a few laughs along the way.

Takeaways 

Summary

In this episode, we explore the difference between being a leader and being a manager. Maybe you've felt unsure about being called a manager before. We understand – being seen as a leader sounds better, right? But can we really use these titles interchangeably? Let's find out.

We discuss the unique skills and qualities needed for each role. Leaders inspire and guide towards the future, while managers ensure things run smoothly. We also talk about when each role is most important – when to motivate and when to maintain stability.

We dive into the role of management in achieving reliable results and leadership in providing direction. We share stories of great leaders and discuss the downsides of overemphasizing leadership.

Ultimately, we agree that both leadership and management are crucial. Leadership moves us forward, while management keeps things steady. But success requires both. It's about knowing when to lead and when to manage. 

Takeaways

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage

01:24 Defining Leadership and Management

05:05 Perceptions of Leadership and Management

08:47 The Importance of Managerial Skills for Leaders

11:35 The Marvel of Management

20:43 The Role of Managers in Organizations

22:37 The Unintended Consequences of Overemphasizing Leadership

24:44 The Need for Different Skill Sets

32:34 Being a Great Manager without Micromanaging

35:40 The Root Causes of Micromanagement

36:54 Balancing Management and Micromanagement

40:04 The Negative Effects of Micromanagement

41:47 The Need for Hands-On Management

43:18 Recognizing the Need for Leadership or Management

48:09 Developing Leadership and Management Skills

49:00 Leadership vs. Management: Personal Reflections

58:14 Strategies for Developing Leadership and Management Skills

In this episode, we're talking about performance management. We’ll unpack the importance of  understanding each person's situation while still aiming for the company's goals. We'll discuss being open and flexible when people have problems but still expecting them to do well.

We'll also talk about using goals and measurements to track progress and why it's important to treat everyone fairly. We'll look at managing performance for individuals and teams, making sure goals are clear.

We'll touch on the value of celebrating when people do a good job and why it's important for leaders to talk to their team and give feedback. Work should be enjoyable as well as productive, and leaders can help make that happen.

Takeaways

References

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Cheeky Banter

00:58 Topic Introduction: Performance Management

06:42 The Process vs. the Core Elements

09:34 The Challenges of Performance Management

11:05 Different Approaches for Different Performers

16:04 The Pitfalls of Performance Management

23:47 Zooming In and Zooming Out

28:39 The Importance of Clarity

30:53 The Role of Goals and Expectations

36:58 The Structure of Performance Management

38:43 Having Each Other's Backs

40:29 The Role of Conversations in Performance Management

46:02 The Power of Curiosity and Self-Awareness

49:49 Talking Less and Being Curious

54:46 The Structure and System of Performance Management

55:52 Reflecting Progress and Recognizing Achievements

57:26 No Surprise Feedback and Regular Check-ins

58:43 Recognizing and Reinforcing Good Behaviors

01:01:00 The Impact of Performance Management

01:05:51 The Balance Between Accountability and Engagement

We've got our first guest! This episode we've got Luke Cassidy from Careers with Luke to talk about recruiting. Listen in for tons of info about how leaders at any stage can contribute to the recruiting process. There's also more than a few hilarious stories.

To learn more about Luke and connect with him check out Careers with Luke⁠ on LinkedIn and join his newsletter.

There's a lot of talk about giving or receiving feedback but what goes into soliciting feedback? T leads a discussion about asking for feedback and unpacks the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Let us know what you think!

Theresa leads a discussion unpacking what goes into leading teams, how you know that your team is effective, and how a team can find stability through empowerment.

Few things we touched on:

Homework: Check in with your team about their opinion of how effective the team is functioning. Anchor the judgement of effectiveness in a team metric for clarity.

T was a rebellious lifeguard, Marsh learns how to justify speeding to his kids, and Woz keeps us on the rails sharing his takeaways from an impactful conversation.

In this episode the trio talks about why they work within the leadership space and why they opted to start a company to continue exploring the craft.

Woz references a conversation he had with Sigute Zitikyte, check out her website here.

Clifdenconsulting.com