Life as Leadership: Where Leaders Gather to Grow Together

Angie Ward is a leader, teacher, writer, and pastor’s wife. She is an award-winning regular contributor to Christianity Today leadership publications and has served as a contributing editor and editorial advisor for Leadership Journal, Building Church Leaders, and Gifted for Leadership. She is also a highly regarded teacher and speaker, with classroom experience at Denver Seminary, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Trinity International University, and Lancaster Bible College. Her leadership experience includes roles in church, parachurch, nonprofit, and educational contexts. Angie’s latest book, I Am a Leader: When Women Discover the Joy of their Calling releases from NavPress in March 2020.

Pre-order Angie's book https://www.amazon.com/Am-Leader-Women-Discover-Calling/dp/164158176X/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=I+am+a+leadre+angie+wardandqid=1578767516andsr=8-1-fkmr0 (here).

LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS

- Calling: “A God-given conviction about your life’s direction.”

- Leadership is about who you are more than your position.

- Leadership involves movement toward a vision (KNOW your vision)

- Take time to step back and figure out what that vision that your leading toward is.

- Leadership: “Influence on people to movement toward a vision.”

- Be aware of the systems you live in and how you can influence them.

QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE US TO ACTION

- What is some lesson, saying, or experience that continues to influence your leadership to this day? Leadership flows from who you are, not what you do.

- Use three descriptors to finish this sentence: “A leader is…” Teachable, humble, a steward.

- What is a question that leaders should be asking either themselves or others? What and who am I responsible to steward?

- What book would you recommend to leaders? A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix by Edwin Friedman

- If you could get every listener to start doing something THIS week to help them be a better leader, what would it be? Sit quietly for 10 minutes a day and not worry about “doing”—just be, sit, and listen.

- As a general life principle, is it better to ask “why?” or “why not?” “Why not?” because with “why?” you can get stuck in analysis paralysis.

Website:

http://www.angieward.net

Contact:

Find Angie on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/indyaward (@indyaward)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indyaward/ (@indyaward)

Em Ducharme started Zero to CEO to provide business strategy for influencers and experts looking to monetize and scale their audience. Her work has been featured on major media outlets such as Forbes, ThriveGlobal, The Good Men Project and Business2Community. As a former corporate sales consultant for Fortune 500 companies and major corporations, Em helped to grow and scale businesses for the last ten years in hospitality, finances, entertainment, and e-learning. She's raised millions of dollars in investor funds for the companies that she worked for and personally was able to scale her own companies past multi 6-7 figure mark in a record-breaking time.

To learn more about Em's Zero to CEO Society, go https://www.zerotoceo.co/membership-enrolment (here).

LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS

-If someone can do it, why can’t you?

- Help people grow in their leadership in a way that is affordable for them—don’t give them more than the need considering where they are in their journey.

- There are so many people providing help in this world—there’s no excuse not to find someone to help you get where you need to go!

- Be a “yes” person. (Don’t say no until you know you have to).

- Help people for their benefit—not just for yours.

- Know what your competitors are doing so you can learn from them, get better, and provide more help to others.

- Have the mindset of the type of person you want to become and carry yourself like the leader of the organization you would like to lead.

- Be honest with yourself, kill your ego, and decide to change damaging or limiting beliefs.

- Believe that you are worth it.

- Building relationships by giving back or giving first.

- You cannot become a new person in one day.

QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE US TO ACTION

- What is some lesson, saying, or experience that continues to influence your leadership to this day? Inspiration from those who came before through the books documentaries of people in adverse situations who became great leaders.

- Use three descriptors to finish this sentence: “A leader is…” 1. Someone who leaves their ego at the door, 2. Someone who is able to sit at the table with everyone, and 3. Someone who is always working at becoming a better leader.

- What is a question that leaders should be asking either themselves or others? How can I become better today, and what can I let go of to become better?

- What book would you recommend to leaders? The Art of People by Dave Kerpen and The Millionaire Messenger by Brendon Burchard.

- If you could get every listener to start doing something THIS week to help them be a better leader, what would it be? Be consistent with your mindset work—your self, your message, and your energy.

- As a general life principle, is it better to ask “why?” or “why not?” “Why not?” This question solves more problems.

Website:

https://www.zerotoceo.co

Find Em on social media:

Instagram: http://instagram.com/em.ducharme (@em.ducharme)

John Klymshyn has been the architect for growth for teams and individuals in the arenas of executive communication, inspirational language and practical skills ranging from sales mentality to thought processes. His focus is the power of language. He is either traveling the world speaking about Deeper Dialogue, Moving Conversations Forward, or Mindful Leadership, OR coaching executives, writing, and podcasting, and he recently came out with his newest audiobook, Deeper Dialogues: Conversations That Inspire.

LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS

- If you are a leader—even if you are not in sales—you are measured in some way. Hit your number.

- Aim for low churn—you do not want high churn of your team, your customers, or your vendors. When you reach low churn, you have begun to build your culture.

- Leaders are always in the business of developing their people.

- Offer insight when your person is ready for it. Not every moment is a teaching moment.

- Just as in music, phrasing is vital in language because it brings out the emotion.

- Do not try to be the dominant voice whenever possible. Work to create harmony. How adept are you at connecting with people on an authentic, human level?

- We cannot provide harmony. We can only contribute to harmony.

- The key “co-” words in the English language: connect, communicate, collaborate, contribute. These four work together.

- “People respond to the stunning alchemy of solid language.” Solid language does not need deeper explanation. It is resonant.

- When you hear something that speaks to you in the moment, you reach for a pen to write it down.

- Keep your ears and eyes open for wisdom and pieces of insight because you never know when or where it will come from.

- Just like you think of a good conversation long after it occurs, so does the other person.

- The single greatest gift you can give another person is your undivided attention.

QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE US TO ACTION

- What is some lesson, saying, or experience that continues to influence your leadership to this day? The people who report to you are your precious inventory. Treat them well by investing in them, asking them great questions, and listening to what they have to say.

- Use three descriptors to finish this sentence: “A leader is…” Humble, constructively ruthless, and open.

- What is a question that leaders should be asking either themselves or others? How can I draw things out of my people that they are not even aware are in there?

- What book would you recommend to leaders? Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done by Lawrence Bossidy and Ram Charan.

- If you could get every listener to start doing something THIS week to help them be a better leader, what would it be? Make it a priority to learn and understand what your people want. You usually don’t get to ask them outright, so you have to discover it.

- As a general life principle, is it better to ask “why?” or “why not?” “Why not?” This gives us the mental space to look for the second and third right answer. Be creative and come up with as many right answers as possible. If we can take an idea and try to blow holes in it, we can see if it’s an idea that will float.

Website:

https://www.klymshyn.com/

Contact:

Find John on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/johnklymshyn (@johnklymshyn)

Devin Cowick and Don Wilson co-founded their business “Code Pineapple,” where pineapple is the code word for unplugged fun. They help families with kids live a healthy, balanced life in the digital world through a four-part framework: screen habits, offline alternatives, self-esteem, and relationships. Together they have built Code Pineapple to be an award-winning publisher of multiple best-selling books and a leader in children's edu-tainment.

LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS

- When someone says “I Can’t,” ask them, “How can you?”

- If there is something that is bothering you, take action!

- Honor the struggle because success comes on the back of struggle!

- You’re either succeeding or you are learning.

QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE US TO ACTION

– What is some lesson, saying, or experience that continues to influence your leadership to this day?

Don: Success is not something you pursue. It is something you attract by the person you become. If you want more in life, become more. – Jim Rohn

Devin: Being named co-captain on the HS cross country team—realizing that she could lead by example, even if she didn’t feel like she could be a leader.

- Use three descriptors to finish this sentence: “A leader is…” A cheerleader, empathetic, and visionary.

- What is a question that leaders should be asking either themselves or others? Don: “Why are we doing what we’re doing?”

- What book would you recommend to leaders?

Devin: StrengthsFinder by Tom Rath

Don: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie and The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker

- If you could get every listener to start doing something THIS week to help them be a better leader, what would it be?

Don: Listening to those around them. When you listen better, people will share more. Also, learning the art of crafting and telling stories.

Devin: Start appreciating people, showing gratitude to them, and giving recognition.

- As a general life principle, is it better to ask “why?” or “why not?”

Don: “Why?” but also, when people say, “I Can’t,” ask them, “How can you?”

Devin: “Why?” because of situations where people fall into the excuse that “this is how things have always been done.”

Website:

https://www.codepineapple.com

Contact:

Find Code Pineapple on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/codepineapple/ (@CodePineapple)

Shari Altergott has over 18 years of experience helping clients improve their Customers’ experience by implementing strategies that focus on people, product, process and feedback. During her career she has held several positions within Marketing, Business Development and Executive Leadership. She currently serves as the Chief Experience Officer at The CX Edge, a company that was created to serve the B2B community by developing and executing customer experience strategies that focus on client’s primary business objectives of increasing profitability by retaining and acquiring new business.

LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS

- A wholistic customer experience model is made up of four aspects: 1. People 2. Product 3. Process 4. Feedback

- People: Hire on culture/fit rather than technical skills alone. Train your people in that culture/expectation. Engage you employees so that their emotional investment in your business so that they will always to right by the company and customer.

- Product: Make sure you’re offering what the customer wants/needs.

- Process: Is it easy for your customers to do what they need to do? Is it easy for your employees to do what they need to do?

- Feedback: Feedback is the source for you to know who/where to improve.

- If you get the people (employee) part right, you will get the customer part right. But this does not work in reverse.

- People tend to be the most resistant to the process piece. When introducing a new process, educate everyone in the organization about the process, why you’re doing it, why it matters to them, and what the outcome should be.

- To begin your look at your customer experience and organizational health, start by looking internally to see what you are doing right and what you need to improve on.

- Stop thinking of leadership as a position and more as an opportunity that anyone has.

QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE US TO ACTION

- What is some lesson, saying, or experience that continues to influence your leadership to this day? From an early mentor (When someone needs to change in a relationship): The other person is never going to be any better, but you have the ability to be better. If you want to be a leader and achieve your goals, you have to be flexible and adjust your style to individuals who are unwilling to change.

- Use three descriptors to finish this sentence: “A leader is…” Empathetic, authentic, and honest.

- What is a question that leaders should be asking either themselves or others? What can I do to help bring others up with me?

- What book would you recommend to leaders? Servant Leadership by Bob Chapman.

- If you could get every listener to start doing something THIS week to help them be a better leader, what would it be? Get out there! Network and meet more people. This will help you be a better leader and better person.

- As a general life principle, is it better to ask “why?” or “why not?” “Why not?” This keeps us from putting up barriers. We can achieve more by asking “why not?”

Website:

https://cx-edge.com/

Contact:

Find Shari and the CX Edge on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecxedge (@thecxedge)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecxedge/ (@thecxedge)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CXEdge/ (@cxedge)

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-cx-edge

This month in the review: Results from the five-country challenge (trying to get more downloads from countries that had only one download!). Also, get a free coaching call with Josh to get 2020 (and the new decade!) started off well.

Debbie Morton has a passion to help others. It started when she had to restart her career at the age of 56. She had closed a home care business $100K in debt, and within months learned she and her husband’s entire million-dollar retirement savings was gone due to some bad investment choices. In a quest to begin a new career to avoid a 9-t0-5 job, she became an online marketer, a business coach and is currently a founding member and on the advisory board of the Young Entrepreneur Project that offers three pillars to help entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs succeed.To learn more about the Young Entrepreneur Project, go to: https://lifeasleadership.com/YEP (https://lifeasleadership.com/YEP)LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS- Your attitude can change the course of your future.- Make sure the organizations or activities you are involved with are congruent with your values.- Use your platforms of influence to help other people- Always stay open to opportunities. They are constantly entering and exiting your life. Take advantage of them when they do come along!QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE US TO ACTION- What is some lesson, saying, or experience that continues to influence your leadership to this day? “Attitude is everything.” Truly feel and believe it!- Use three descriptors to finish this sentence: “A leader is…” Humble, a servant, a motivator.- What is a question that leaders should be asking either themselves or others? How can I better serve my team?- What book would you recommend to leaders? E-Squared: Nine Do-It-Yourself Energy Experiments That Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality by Pay Grout- If you could get every listener to start doing something THIS week to help them be a better leader, what would it be? Personal development. Be the best you can be so you can become the best leaders for others.- As a general life principle, is it better to ask “why?” or “why not?” “Why?” Our brains don’t process negative words. (E.g. don’t think of a pink tree).Website:https://lifeasleadership.com/YEP (https://lifeasleadership.com/YEP)Contact:[email protected] media:Visit Debbie on http://www.linkedin.com/in/successwithdebbie (LinkedIn)

Ryan Narus started his entrepreneurial journey with no money, no experience, no capital, and no network. And after studying psychology and statistics at Wake Forest University and receiving his MBA, he also had plenty of student loan debt. But he refused to quit. He sacrificed, took bold action, and found creative ways to make money while he started and scaled his business. Now he is a self-made real estate entrepreneur who owns and operates 10 Mobile Home Parks spanning over 1,200 units, and he is on a mission to help others.

LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS

- There are three types of employees: 1. People who are in it for a paycheck, 2. people who work hard to build their career, and 3. people who have a common goal.

- Learn how to say “no” to many things so you can say “yes” to the most important things.

- Build up a real self-esteem where people’s opinions of you will not affect your leadership or.

- As a leader, make sure you can measure what you want to manage.

- Check your ego at the door.

- Remember that what you know is only a fraction of what there is to know.

QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE US TO ACTION

- What is some lesson, saying, or experience that continues to influence your leadership to this day? The experience of having bad bosses. Learn what not to do!

- Use three descriptors to finish this sentence: “A leader is…” High-empathy, decisive, and a good listener.

- What is a question that leaders should be asking either themselves or others Is my ego getting in the way?

- What book would you recommend to leaders Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

- If you could get every listener to start doing something THIS week to help them be a better leader, what would it be? Check your ego at the door.

- As a general life principle, is it better to ask “why?” or “why not?” “Why?” Learn to say “no” to what is not relevant to your goals so that you can say “yes” to others.

Website:

https://www.archimedesgrp.com/

JoAnna Brandi is a Certified Chief Happiness Officer, a Happiness Coach and specialist in creating Customer Happiness. She is the author of two books on customer loyalty as well as an illustrated gift book called "54 Ways to Stay Positive in a Changing, Challenging, and Sometimes Negative World." She works with companies who want to energize, elevate and empower their people to take "Exquisite CARE" of their customers and their employees as a strategy to create lifetime value and profitability. She’s been in business 29 years, has clients in all shapes, sizes, and kinds of companies.

Get JoAnna's free report, https://www.returnonhappiness.com/happyplace/ (12 Ways to Make Your Workplace a Happy Place.)

LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS

- 50% of happiness is genetic, 10% is circumstantial, and 40% is as result of habits, actions, and thinking.

- Exercise is the most important factor to help keep a positive state. Sleep, music, hobbies, and positive social connections are also key.

- Start off your day (and week) with intention. Don’t focus just on what you want to do but who you can to be. Start off with “today I intend to…”

- You are the point of origin for your attitude.

- The starting point for employee and customer satisfaction is with the leaders.

- Help people experience energy gains instead of energy drains.

- Take positivity personally. Start off with gratitude and appreciation.

QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE US TO ACTION

- What is some lesson, saying, or experience that continues to influence your leadership to this day? Lessons on how NOT to lead from (bad) past leaders and bosses.

- Use three descriptors to finish this sentence: “A leader is…” Influential, impactful, and important.

– What is a question that leaders should be asking either themselves or others? 1. What are my strengths? 2. What’s going well here? 3. What’s possible here?

- What book would you recommend to leaders? Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman

- If you could get every listener to start doing something THIS week to help them be a better leader, what would it be? Listen for others’ strengths and give them feedback based on those strengths.

- As a general life principle, is it better to ask “why?” or “why not?” “Why not?” this leads you to question what is possible. Something that may not have worked on one point may work today!

Website:

https://www.returnonhappiness.com

Contact:

Find JoAnna on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/keepemhappy (@KeepEmHappy)

Joel Hawbaker is a professional speaker, coach, teacher, and Amazon best-selling author with years of experience in a wide variety of leadership roles. He is blessed to be able to share much of what he has learned with audiences and clients, and he loves to engage them through storytelling and humor. He currently lives in his hometown of Anniston, Alabama, with his wife, his two daughters, and his two dogs Butterscotch and Bruiser.

LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS

- When we become adults, we often seem to forget all the things we were taught as children (e.g. just because someone does something mean to you doesn’t mean you have to be mean to them).

- Follow the Golden Rule: Treat other people like you would want to be treated. Do not treat people based on your pain.

- Exercise patience and remain calm when tensions are escalating.

- If you are willing to be respectful, you can get along with just about anybody.

- Build trust with people from sharing from your own experiences and show that you have their best interests at heart.

- Empower the people in your charge to do their jobs well, and everything will get taken care of.

- Your job is not to make yourself look better but by helping those you are leading to become better.

- Leadership is “the art of helping people become better versions of themselves through positive influence.”

- Confident humility is “taking what you are good at and using it not for your own good but in the service of others.”

- “Be the first” in leadership by 1. giving credit where credit is due, 2. taking responsibility (even when it’s not yours to take), and 3. show respect to everyone.

QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE US TO ACTION

- What is some lesson, saying, or experience that continues to influence your leadership to this day? 1. "When you’re through learning, you’re through.”—Coach John Wooden 2. “It’s not about you. It’s really about serving other people.”—Joel’s dad 3. “Be respectful to everyone, even when they don’t show you the same courtesy”—Joel’s dad

- Use three descriptors to finish this sentence: “A leader is…” Confident, humble, and courageous.

- What is a question that leaders should be asking either themselves or others? What can I do differently 1. to improve what I’m already good at and 2. to shore up my weaknesses?

- What book would you recommend to leaders Leadership by Rudy Giuliana

- If you could get every listener to start doing something THIS week to help them be a better leader, what would it be? Learn how to consciously listen better. A way to do this is to make sure to ask one good follow-up questions any time someone mentions something to you.

- As a general life principle, is it better to ask “why?” or “why not?” “Why?” because it helps people get to the end goal of the particular thought, action, or habit.

Website:

https://reallifeleading.com/

Contact:

Find Joel on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/joelwhawbaker (@joelwhawbaker)