In this episode of Lessons in Leverage, Spencer Lowe interviews Shane Spraggs, CEO of Virtira, who shares his insights on remote work productivity. Shane discusses his journey into remote work, the challenges and benefits of managing remote teams, and the importance of personal habits for success. He emphasizes the need for clarity in communication, the significance of social connections, and the evolving landscape of work in the age of AI.

Takeaways

• Shane's journey into remote work began during the pandemic.
• Companies must nurture their teams to maximize productivity.
• Effective management is crucial for remote work success.
• Clarity in communication enhances team performance.
• Personal habits significantly impact remote work productivity.
• Social connections are vital for remote workers' well-being.
• Establishing rituals can help separate work and personal life.
• AI will reshape the future of work and remote opportunities.
• Investing in team development is essential for remote success.
• The next wave of innovation may come from remote entrepreneurs.

Episode Resources

Guests Links 🔽

• Connect with Shane Spraggs on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Virtira

Podcast Links 🔽

• Connect with Spencer Lowe on LinkedIn
• Learn more about SOLVD.cloud

In this episode of Lessons in Leverage, Spencer Lowe and Terry Tucker dive deep into the theme of embracing discomfort to build mental resilience. The hosts explore strategies for overcoming life's challenges, referencing personal experiences and philosophical reflections to illustrate their points. Spencer shares his practice of cold plunging, while Terry Tucker discusses his cancer journey, where embracing discomfort played a critical role. They touch on the significant influence of mindset and control over one's thoughts, referencing wisdom from Tony Robbins and stoic philosophers. Terry also introduces his "four truths" that have guided his life and approach to legacy.

Throughout the episode, the discussion emphasizes the importance of accepting life's natural difficulties rather than resisting them, the power of hope and endurance, the transformative impact of personal challenges, and the importance of living a full life free of regret. They also highlight key studies, practical tips, and anecdotes to underscore their message, providing listeners with valuable insights on building resilience and finding meaning in adversity.

Terry Tucker also shares inspirational stories from his diverse career and his approach to dealing with mortality, stressing the importance of setting personal goals and the significance of parental influence on his values and resilience. The episode concludes with Terry promoting his book "Sustainable Excellence" and shares the enduring message: proactively pursue your purpose for happiness and peace.

Takeaways

1. Embracing discomfort can significantly build mental resilience.
2. Adopting the mindset of not negotiating with oneself conserves mental energy and enhances commitment.
3. Accepting challenges as a natural part of life reduces suffering and enhances one's ability to deal with adversity.
4. Planning for the inevitability of death can enhance the quality and meaning of life.
5. Controlling your mind through positive self-talk influences your capacity to face challenges and achieve goals.
6. Facing daily small challenges prepares you mentally and physically for significant life challenges.
7. Building resilience involves leveraging discomfort, hope, and endurance.
8. The importance of living without regret by seizing current opportunities.
9. Parental influence plays a pivotal role in instilling values of strength, resilience, and service.
10. Leveraging personal education and making informed healthcare decisions is crucial.
11. Continuously self-improve and adapt through practice and reflection.
12. A structured approach to life goals in different decades can provide clarity and direction.
13. Terry's "four truths" offer a powerful framework for living a purposeful life:

• Control your mind or it will control you.
• Embrace pain and discomfort to build strength and resilience.
• Leave a legacy through the impact you have on others.
• As long as you don't quit, you can never be defeated.

1. Reflect on self-imposed limits and strive to extend beyond perceived breaking points.
2. Proactively pursue your purpose and leverage adversity for personal growth and fulfillment.

Episode Resources

Guests Links 🔽

• Connect with Terry Tucker on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Terry Tucker

Podcast Links 🔽

• Connect with Spencer Lowe on LinkedIn
• Learn more about SOLVD.cloud

In this thought-provoking episode, Spencer delves into the fascinating world of behavioral economics, specifically focusing on the concept of gains frames and loss frames. Drawing from the pioneering work of researchers Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, he highlights how understanding these psychological principles can be a game-changer for consultants and anyone involved in decision-making processes.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Introduction to Behavioral Economics:
• Spencer explains the foundational work of Kahneman and Tversky in behavioral economics and introduces their research on decision-making biases.
• Recommendation: "The Undoing Project" for an in-depth look at their research and its implications.
• Principles of Gains Frames and Loss Frames:
• Summary of how potential gains and losses are perceived and valued differently by individuals.
• Explanation of the disproportionate impact of losses compared to gains on emotional and rational decision-making.
• Application in Consulting:
• Dealing with Irrational Client Behavior:
• Techniques to identify and address clients who are stuck in a loss frame.
• Importance of validating emotions and uncovering core fears to shift clients back to a gains frame.
• Presentation of Options:
• Strategies on how to effectively present choices using gains and loss frames to lead clients towards rational decisions.
• Practical examples of framing options related to project management and scope changes.
• Framing Scenarios Effectively:
• Real-world examples (e.g., medical treatment options) to illustrate the impact of different frames on decision-making.
• Ethical consideration in using gains and loss frames to ensure clients make the best possible choices.
• Consulting Best Practices:
• Importance of understanding and wielding gains and loss frames ethically.
• Techniques to help clients and teams achieve optimal outcomes by framing information correctly.

Additional Resources:

Book Recommendation:

"The Undoing Project"

Episode Resources

Podcast Links 🔽

• Connect with Spencer Lowe on LinkedIn
• Learn more about SOLVD.cloud

In this episode of Lessons in Leverage, host Spencer Lowe and personal development expert Carly Pepin discuss the transformative power of embracing discomfort and fostering self-discipline. Carly shares her personal journey of overcoming mental health challenges and the importance of self-awareness in personal growth. The conversation delves into balancing perceptions, breaking through mental barriers, and the significance of facing pain for meaningful change. Carly emphasizes the role of discipline in achieving desired outcomes and shares inspiring client success stories that highlight the impact of mindset work.

Takeaways

• Embracing discomfort is essential for growth.
• Self-awareness is key to understanding internal dynamics.
• Balanced perceptions enhance emotional intelligence.
• Facing pain is crucial for personal transformation.
• Discipline stems from genuine desire, not obligation.
• Tracking progress helps maintain motivation and clarity.
• Finding the right tools is vital for personal development.
• Support from coaches can accelerate transformation.
• Every individual has a unique way of processing emotions.
• Transformative change often leads to unexpected positive outcomes.

Episode Resources

Guests Links 🔽

• Connect with Carly Pepin on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Carly Pepin

Podcast Links 🔽

• Connect with Spencer Lowe on LinkedIn
• Learn more about SOLVD.cloud

In this episode of Lessons in Leverage, Spencer delves into the project management concept known as the Principle of No Surprises. Spencer unpacks why humans are naturally resilient to problems and changes when they are expected, but become emotional and difficult to manage when caught off guard. He emphasizes that while unexpected events will inevitably occur, the key is how one handles and communicates these surprises. Spencer discusses practical ways to mitigate the frequency of surprises for both internal teams and clients by anticipating problems, updating communication plans, and setting realistic expectations. He also highlights the importance of transparently sharing assumptions and creating wiggle room to manage risks effectively. By mastering the Principle of No Surprises, professionals can significantly enhance trust and reliability in their relationships with clients and colleagues, ultimately leading to increased value and success in their roles.

Takeaways

1. Expect and Prepare for Problems:
2. While unexpected events are inevitable, the key is how you prepare for and communicate about them.
3. Anticipate Issues:
4. Work on gaining experience and refining your skills to better anticipate potential problems.
5. Communicate Assumptions:
6. Sharing what you assume in your planning can prevent misunderstandings and last-minute surprises.
7. Set Conservative Expectations:
8. For clients, offer timelines and budgets that account for potential setbacks to build trust and ensure you can meet or exceed expectations.
9. Internal Communication vs. Client Communication:
10. Be more detailed in internal communications about potential issues, while being concise yet transparent with clients.
11. Value of No Surprises:
12. Mastering this principle builds trust, reliability, and can significantly alter how people perceive your value, even if the actual work hasn't changed.
13. Self-Reflection:
14. Regularly evaluate areas where surprises happen and develop strategies to mitigate them.
15. Manage Risks:
16. Include padding in your estimates for time and budget to accommodate for potential difficulties, and work to mitigate those risks.

Episode Resources

Podcast Links 🔽

• Connect with Spencer Lowe on LinkedIn
• Learn more about SOLVD.cloud

In this episode of Lessons in Leverage, host Spencer Lowe engages with Gitte Madelaire, a futurist and author of Energetic Leadership. They explore the transformative power of energy and intuition in leadership, the importance of personal transformation, and how to create space for listening to one's inner self. The conversation emphasizes the need for leaders to align their actions with their purpose and the significance of understanding emerging trends in leadership. In this conversation, Gitte Madelaire discusses the importance of understanding societal trends and narratives within organizations, the impact of automation and AI on customer experiences, and the necessity for leaders to cultivate calmness and authenticity in their approach. She emphasizes the balance between technology and human connection, advocating for a more human-centered approach in business practices.

Takeaways

• Energy and intuition are essential skills for leaders.
• Personal transformation often begins with surrendering to one's true self.
• Listening to our inner voice is crucial for personal and professional growth.
• Creating space for quiet reflection helps in understanding one's energy.
• Balancing masculine and feminine energies leads to more effective leadership.
• Trends in leadership are shifting towards purpose-driven models.
• Nature can be a powerful tool for calming the mind and listening to the soul.
• Engagement in work is tied to alignment with one's purpose.
• Organizations must adapt to the changing needs of employees and customers.
• The future of leadership involves a blend of data-driven insights and intuitive understanding. Unlocking potential involves understanding the narratives we create.
• Organizations must reflect on their societal impact and brand promises.
• Trends can help us observe ourselves and others without personal bias.
• Automation and AI should enhance, not replace, human connection.
• Customer experiences must be designed with humanity at the forefront.
• Calmness in leadership can lead to greater clarity and effectiveness.
• Authenticity and curiosity are essential traits for modern leaders.
• The balance between technology and human interaction is crucial for success.
• Leaders should prioritize quiet reflection to reset their energy.
• Innovative approaches, like AI in audiobooks, can enhance learning experiences.

Episode Resources

Guests Links 🔽

• Connect with Gitte Madelaire on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Energetic Leadership

Podcast Links 🔽

• Connect with Spencer Lowe on LinkedIn
• Learn more about SOLVD.cloud

In this episode of Lessons in Leverage, Spencer dives into the concept of "choosing your hard," emphasizing the inevitable challenges we face whether we choose to address issues upfront or ignore them until they become bigger problems. Spencer explores this concept through examples related to physical health and workplace interactions. He explains that avoiding short-term difficulties typically leads to more significant, enforced difficulties down the road. This episode delves into the idea that taking ownership and confronting challenges head-on, whether it's through diet and exercise or transparent communication in the workplace, ultimately leads to more options, freedom, and happiness in the long term.

Takeaways

• Short-term difficulties are often optional, while long-term difficulties are enforced when initial issues aren’t addressed.
• Healthy lifestyle choices, although challenging, prevent more severe health problems and restricted life options in the future.
• Avoiding difficult conversations at work can lead to larger issues, less flexibility, and potential job loss.
• Open communication, taking responsibility, and addressing problems head-on foster a transparent and accountable culture.
• Always consider the long-term consequences of seemingly easy decisions; they often lead to enforced hardships.
• The short-term hard choice comes with long-term benefits such as happiness, freedom, and more options.
• Choosing the hard now over the enforced hard later is a strategy to ensure better outcomes and mitigate future difficulties.

Episode Resources

Podcast Links 🔽

• Connect with Spencer Lowe on LinkedIn
• Learn more about SOLVD.cloud

In this insightful episode of "Lessons in Leverage," Spencer unpacks the often misunderstood relationship between business growth and quality. Using a simple yet powerful analogy of water in a bucket, Spencer breaks down the key components that drive sustainable growth: new customer acquisition, customer lifetime value, and churn rate. He emphasizes that many businesses mistakenly focus solely on sales and marketing to fuel growth, neglecting the critical role of delivering exceptional quality to customers.

1. The Bucket Analogy:

• New Customer Acquisition (Water poured into the bucket): Essential for growth but not sufficient on its own.
• Customer Lifetime Value (Size of the bucket): Larger buckets hold more water, representing higher long-term revenue from existing customers.
• Churn (Hole in the bucket): Represents customers lost, either due to dissatisfaction or lack of value.

1. Quality over Quantity:

• Two of the three growth levers (customer lifetime value and churn) are directly tied to the quality of customer experience.
• Improving quality decreases churn and increases the customer lifetime value, driving sustainable growth.

1. Leveraging Referrals:

• Satisfied customers lead to referrals, which significantly enhance new customer acquisition.
• Referrals have a 7-fold higher closing rate compared to other prospects.

1. Universal Responsibility:

• Quality improvement is a collective responsibility across the organization, not just a sales or marketing issue.
• Performance at the highest level in delivery and customer satisfaction guarantees continuous growth.

1. Actionable Strategies:

• Focus on delivering greater value to existing customers.
• Reactivate past customers who left due to dissatisfaction by offering free value or additional services.
• Cultivate strong relationships to encourage referrals.

Podcast Links 🔽

• Connect with Spencer Lowe on LinkedIn
• Learn more about SOLVD.cloud

In this episode of Lessons in Leverage, host Spencer Lowe interviews Dr. Michelle P. Maidenberg, a mental health expert and author of 'Ace Your Life'. They discuss the transformative ACE method, which focuses on acceptance, compassion, and empowerment. Dr. Maidenberg shares her personal journey, the importance of understanding one's values, and how to cultivate confidence. The conversation emphasizes the significance of aligning behaviors with personal values, the utility of guilt and shame, and the balance between quality and quantity in parenting and work. In this conversation, Michelle Maidenberg discusses the complexities of human emotions, the importance of aligning actions with personal values, and the challenges of sustaining behavioral change. She emphasizes the need for self-acceptance and compassion, while also exploring the evolution of values over time. Additionally, she shares insights about her nonprofit, 'Thru My Eyes,' which helps chronically ill individuals create video legacies for their loved ones, highlighting the emotional impact of such connections.

Takeaways

• Our journey is constantly evolving and never ends.
• Regret often stems from not recognizing past experiences shaped us.
• Every relationship teaches us something valuable.
• Confidence is cultivated over time, not inherent.
• Understanding our core values is essential for fulfillment.
• Guilt and shame can be useful indicators of our values.
• It's important to align our behaviors with our values.
• Quality time with loved ones is more important than quantity.
• We must appreciate the valid reasons behind our past decisions.
• Living in conscious awareness helps us align with our best selves. Circumstances can hinder our ability to feel good, creating pressure to be happy.
• Thoughts and feelings can spiral, leading to anxiety and sleeplessness.
• Pain often indicates a misalignment with our values.
• Realigning with our values requires constant recalibration and self-awareness.
• Self-worth influences our decisions and behaviors in relationships.
• Sustaining behavioral change is often more challenging than initiating it.
• Acceptance does not equate to mediocrity; it's about awareness and compassion.
• Emotions are key drivers of behavior and should not be dismissed.
• Values can evolve over time, reflecting personal growth and change.
• Creating video legacies can provide emotional closure and connection for families.

Episode Resources

Guests Links 🔽

• Connect with Dr. Michelle PMaidenberg on LinkedIn
• Learn more about ‘Ace Your Life’

Podcast Links 🔽

• Connect with Spencer Lowe on LinkedIn
• Learn more about SOLVD.cloud

In this episode of Lessons in Leverage, Spencer delves into the topic of "The Impossible." He challenges the conventional understanding of what is deemed impossible and reframes it as a series of perceptions and limitations we put on ourselves. Spencer contends that labeling something as impossible is often a way of avoiding effort or the complexity involved. He emphasizes that there is no objective impossibility—only subjective limitations that we impose or accept.

Spencer introduces a strategy to overcome the mindset of impossibility by urging listeners to focus first on what they want to achieve and why it is important to them. Once these are clearly defined, the 'how' becomes a more manageable challenge. He argues that having a deeply personal, motivating reason can unlock innovative ways to achieve what was previously thought unattainable. Drawing from various examples, Spencer discusses the importance of challenging your assumptions and being flexible in your approaches. He also references the book "10X is Easier Than 2X" to illustrate how setting ambitious goals can sometimes be easier than incremental progress because it requires thinking outside of the usual paradigms.

Takeaways

• Impossible is a Cop Out:
• Labeling something as impossible is often a decision to avoid effort and complexity.
• Challenge Assumptions:
• Question why you believe something is impossible and what assumptions you're making.
• Start with 'What' and 'Why':
• Clarify the goal (what) and understand why it's important to you before tackling the 'how.'
• Deeply Motivating 'Why':
• A strong personal reason or a mission can drive you to find ways to achieve your goals.
• Flexibility in 'How':
• Be flexible and seek innovative solutions; don’t be married to a single approach.
• Empowered Creator Mindset:
• Adopting this mindset helps you take control and see possibilities rather than limitations.
• Big Goals Over Incremental Gains:
• Big, ambitious goals can be easier to achieve because they require new paradigms and ways of thinking.
• Distinguishing Limitations from Impossibilities:
• Understand the difference between not being willing to do something and it being genuinely impossible.

Episode Resources

Podcast Links 🔽

• Connect with Spencer Lowe on LinkedIn
• Learn more about SOLVD.cloud