Leadership Transformations

Empowering autonomy in your teams by applying lessons learned from more than four decades of leadership experience

Today we have the privilege of speaking with David Berg, founder of the Association for Information Management's Leadership Development Institute. David Berg started his career as a US Navy Flight Officer, eventually transitioning to business and technology where he worked for more than 25 years as a Chief Information Officer for high-tech companies like IBM, Unisys, and Sun Microsystems.

Known for his leadership ability as well as his technical expertise (especially in global internet social systems), David's path took him from computer test tech one to Chief Information Officer over the course of just 18 years at IBM. Upon retirement about 18 years ago, David leveraged his passion for coaching, training, and empowering the next generation of leaders by creating the Leadership Development Institute, a leadership training program for technology professionals and executives.

To date, LDI programs have engaged, inspired, and transformed more than 1,200 technology professionals from more than 115 companies.

Drawing upon greater than four decades of leadership experience, Dave articulates his own leadership philosophy about how radical personal responsibility and a solutions-focused attitude can shape both your career and the experience you create for your teams.

If you sometimes feel frustrated when team members don't take initiative or try to blame others for lack of progress, or even if you feel a bit stuck in your own career progression, our conversation about personal responsibility and attitude will illuminate the power of purposefully shifting your paradigms. You'll find relevant insights that are clear, and immediately actionable. By adapting your attitude and behavior, you can become a magnet for opportunities and ultimately the stand-out leader you aspire to be.

Today we'll talk about…

• [00:03:52]: David's advice for how to get noticed and recognized as a high performer, plus the two life principles he lives by

• [00:10:06]: What his own career journey looked like—his turning point from a focus on problems to a focus on people—and when he realized that his promotions allowed him to learn more, do more of the work he loved, and to help others shine for their knowledge and contributions. And, the pay wasn't bad either

• [00:18:25]: The importance of extreme accountability and how this practice can serve you in both your life and at work

• [00:25:02]: A big realization David had about emotional intelligence and the role it plays in a person's success

• [00:29:40]: What he says are the two real enemies that can hurt an employee and why understanding these enemies is a key to your success

• [00:33:23]: David's commitment to the next generation of talented IT professionals and the work he is now doing to ensure their success

Tune in if you'd like to bring a more independent and determined presence to your work—and if you'd like to become a real stand-out in your environment.

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When you think you're ready for your next opportunity, but things are not going the way you think they should, what can you do to attract the right kind of attention to your capability and readiness? Not in a desperate panicked state—but in a way that allows you to move forward purposefully and powerfully.

In other words, what can you do when you believe you've prepared as well as you can already for an opportunity that has not materialized yet?

And, what does it mean to "win the wait"?

You can watch the video of this episode, along with all the interviews with our incredible guests, on our Leadership Transformations YouTube channel.

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast app, and to get more empowering content aimed at maximizing the potential of employees and leaders of tech-savvy companies, please visit our blog at www.peridotcircleconsulting.com/blog/.

We'll see you back here soon with a brand-new episode of Leadership Transformations.

In a recent interview, cybersecurity expert SVP and CSO Kristina Belnap recalled her experience of learning to embrace workplace friction as the catalyst for her personal growth and the development of her team. By showcasing the relationship between beliefs and decision-making Kristina illuminates the power of giving and receiving feedback in the workplace. Her personal leadership philosophy has enabled her to traverse difficult organizational changes and culture shifts, establishing her credibility and presence at an executive level.

Like Kristina, you can develop your leadership presence, characterized by gravitas and trust, by first recalibrating how you feel about friction and its role in the workplace. By considering friction's role in catalyzing relationship breakthroughs and positive business outcomes, you can ignite your ability to grow professionally. And, by extension, you can build your capacity to foster your team's growth.

You can watch the video of this episode with Kristina, and all the interviews with the other incredible guests we'll be speaking with on our Leadership Transformations YouTube channel.

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast app, and to get more empowering content aimed at maximizing the potential of employees and leaders of tech-savvy companies, please visit our blog at www.peridotcircleconsulting.com/blog/.

We'll see you back here soon with a brand-new episode of Leadership Transformations.

Stepping into a leadership role can be exhilarating yet daunting because you want to be ready for whatever challenges await you. Whether you've just accepted your first leadership position, expanded your leadership responsibility, or hope to be promoted into a leadership role—your desire to exude confidence and competence is clear.

But here's the catch: effective leadership isn't just about showcasing successes; it's about embracing vulnerability and communicating with purpose and authenticity.

While there are important benefits associated with sharing successes, your desire to impress your leaders can hinder open dialogue about specific problems that may be growing in magnitude. In conversations, especially with your own leaders, you may be afraid of disappointing them or causing them to regret hiring or promoting you. To mitigate these fears, you may find yourself downplaying or omitting concerns that are weighing on you.

On the other hand, you may be a person who tends to overshare concerns, problems, and frustrations, causing your leaders to worry about you and whether you are in over your head. In both of these scenarios, higher-level communication skills need to be developed.

By becoming more self-aware of fears that can impact the effectiveness of your communication, you give yourself the opportunity to generate communication strategies that foster trust and confidence. You can learn to discern which problems need early intervention and insight from your leader. You can learn to talk about real issues honestly without sacrificing professional respect or causing unnecessary concern.

[00:00:59]: As you aim to impress, are you making this mistake? [00:02:47]: The benefits of sharing your successes with your leader [00:03:51]: Does the anxiety and pressure you feel accurately represent your circumstance? [00:04:45]: A question to ask yourself to better understand your leader's perspective and concerns [00:05:31]: Ascertaining what you need to share with your boss to work more collaboratively [00:06:49]: Developing a strong thought partnership

Don't forget to subscribe to our Leadership Transformations YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@LeadershipTransformations

For more empowering content, please visit our blog at: www.peridotcircleconsulting.com/blog/ We'll see you back here soon with a brand-new episode of Leadership Transformations.

For high-performing teams, the magic often lies in appreciating differences rather than striving for uniformity. Typically, a team is not a group of people you've chosen yourself. Whether you've been hired directly or reassigned to a team, or whether you've been promoted to lead former colleagues or inherited teams as a result of organizational realignment – how can you help your team thrive? Join us as we focus on how to turn a group of talented individuals into a team that achieves together.

[00:01:20]: The dynamics of working on a team with diverse perspectives, strengths, and challenges

[00:02:12]: Explore real-life examples of turning differences into team strengths

[00:02:57]: How you can embrace the 'magic of differences'

[00:03:48]: Slowing down and suspending judgment

[00:05:27] How do you relate to your way of doing things?

[00:06:12]: Two commitments that will help you navigate differences

Don't forget to subscribe to our Leadership Transformations YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@LeadershipTransformations

For more empowering content, please visit our blog at: www.peridotcircleconsulting.com/blog/

We'll see you back here soon with a brand-new episode of Leadership Transformations.

In today's episode you'll meet and hear the inspiring journey of Natalie Atwood, a vanguard in the HR industry with over 15 years of experience. From her unconventional path into HR to her transformative role at bswift, Natalie shares invaluable insights on letting go to grow, the nuances of effective delegation, and strategies for igniting true potential in others. She also discusses the challenges of standing out in an organization without overshadowing others, her collaborative efforts on succession planning with Peridot Circle, and her advice for those eager to accelerate their career trajectory.

Natalie Atwood is the chief human resources officer at bswift. With over 15 years of executive leadership experience in human resources at high-growth, top-performing, preferred employers such as bswift, Health Equity, and Breeze Airways, she is at the top of her field. Natalie was named one of Utah's Top HR Professionals by Utah Business Magazine in 2020, and recently received bswift's inaugural WIN Excellence in Leadership Award. Natalie continues to achieve impressive results with her successful approaches to attracting, developing, and retaining top talent in a competitive market.

Join us as Natalie unravels the secrets to engaging top talent and fostering a culture of diversity, inclusion, and belonging, proving why she's celebrated as one of Utah's top HR professionals.

You can watch the video of this episode with Natalie, and all the interviews with the other incredible guests we'll be speaking with on our Leadership Transformations YouTube channel.

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast app, and to get more empowering content aimed at maximizing the potential of employees and leaders of tech-savvy companies, please visit our blog at www.peridotcircleconsulting.com/blog/.

We'll see you back here soon with a brand-new episode of Leadership Transformations.

Do you work in a technical field and struggle to have your voice heard and your contributions recognized at work? You're not alone. Many technical professionals excel in their craft yet find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to leadership and influence. In part 2 of this two-part podcast series on making the leap from technical expertise into leadership, we'll be diving into how to shape your communication so you can get greater buy-in and trust.

You can watch the video of this episode, along with all of our impactful episodes including interviews with incredible guests, on our Leadership Transformations YouTube channel.

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast app, and to get more empowering content aimed at maximizing the potential of employees and leaders of growth-oriented companies, please visit our blog at www.peridotcircleconsulting.com/blog/.

We'll see you back here soon with a brand-new episode of Leadership Transformations.

Are you a technical expert striving to make a broader impact beyond your defined role?

This episode of the Leadership Transformations podcast dives into the common challenge of breaking through the confines of technical expertise and stepping into influential leadership opportunities. In part 1 of this two-part podcast series, we'll be diving into how to position yourself as the natural choice for leadership with a few simple strategies.

You can watch the video of this episode, along with all of our impactful episodes including interviews with incredible guests, on our Leadership Transformations YouTube channel.

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast app, and to get more empowering content aimed at maximizing the potential of employees and leaders of growth-oriented companies, please visit our blog at www.peridotcircleconsulting.com/blog/.

We'll see you back here soon with a brand-new episode of Leadership Transformations.

Have you ever felt your boss just doesn't see your value and potential? This can be confusing, frustrating, and, at times, demoralizing when you think you have a "good" working relationship and communicate openly with your boss.

The importance of communicating up—effectively communicating and collaborating between you and your leader—cannot be overstated. When challenges and concerns (even when presented with solutions) are dominating your conversations, your boss will likely have an incomplete story and a skewed perception of your work.

In our latest podcast episode, we dive into the importance of conveying a complete picture of your work so that the partnership you are building with your boss allows them to see your problem-solving in the context of your overall progress and success. Make sure to listen to the end for info on how you can connect with us. And, DON'T FORGET to take our FREE Leadership Blind Spots Quiz here: https://quiz.peridotcircleconsulting....

You can watch the video of this episode, and all the interviews with our incredible guests we'll be speaking with on our Leadership Transformations YouTube channel.

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast app, and to get more empowering content aimed at maximizing the potential of employees and leaders of tech-savvy companies, please visit our blog at www.peridotcircleconsulting.com/blog/.

We'll see you back here soon with a brand-new episode of Leadership Transformations.

If you're ready to unlock leadership potential, become known for providing even higher value, and deliver stellar results, join us!

Welcome to The Leadership Transformations Podcast, where Co-Founders and Principle Consultants Linda Linfield and Janet Taggart tackle the difficult challenges faced by today's leaders. Hosted by Niki Swan, this podcast features Linda and Janet as they explore pivotal decisions, insights and strategies used to uplevel personal capability, bolster team effectiveness and deliver stellar organizational impact.

In this podcast, you'll have the opportunity to explore leadership traps that suck creativity and drain resources. You'll also be introduced to effective ways of escaping these attractive traps, or better yet, avoiding them all together.

From time-to-time, we'll also host remarkable down-to-earth leaders and conversations about their own leadership journeys, the challenges they faced and have overcome and what they've learned along the way, all to inspire you and help you navigate your career in ways that are personally and professionally satisfying.

Thanks for joining us and be sure to subscribe to the podcast on your favorite listening app. We'll see you soon!