Made for Impact

"Leadership is about balance—the push and the pull. You need to know when to drive results and when to inspire and motivate your team." - Joe Folkman

Joe Folkman, psychometrician and co-founder of Zenger Folkman, specializes in leadership inspiration and teaching companies to build trust among their employees. He covers the role of interpersonal skills, the impact of trust on national economies, and simple behaviors that boost trust within organizations.

Joe and host Gretchen Schott share personal experiences and delve deep into the nuances of leadership styles, discussing the delicate balance between "push" and "pull" competencies. Together, they make a compelling argument for leadership that emphasizes strong relationships and effective conflict resolution.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Trust is influenced by factors such as relationship building, consistency, and expertise, and its presence or absence can significantly impact an organization's success. 

• Assessments can be more predictive and insightful when they incorporate the perspectives of others rather than self-assessment alone.

• Learning to value diversity and differences, understanding one's limitations in diverse perspectives, and inviting feedback to build trust are necessary skills for resolving conflicts.

Connect with Joe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-folkman-4766813/ 

About Joe’s Company: https://zengerfolkman.com/ 

Get in touch with Gretchen, and let her know which impactful leaders you’d like to hear from: Connect on LinkedIn or Subscribe to our newsletter.

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://link.chtbl.com/QY4Knw_x  

Strong leaders at all organizational levels are requisites for business success. Gretchen Schott's GrowU Leadership Pathways keeps a leadership ‘pipeline’ flowing to ensure skilled and competent leaders are present throughout every brand in the Threefold Portfolio. 

Jump into the conversation:

[00:00] Introduction to Made for Impact

[00:44] Introducing Joe Folkman

[04:41] Shifting Zenger Folkman’s approach to assessment results

[06:31] Defining the push and pull of leadership styles

[09:57] Gretchen’s personal experience with 360s

[15:03] How to lay the foundation for successful assessments

[17:42] What inspired Joe to write Trifecta of Trust

[20:30] The three factors of building trust

[24:37] How leaders can effectively navigate and address conflicts between team members

[28:17] Developing skills that support conflict management

"We can't lead others if we can't lead ourselves. We can't serve others if we aren't taking time to serve ourselves and our own needs as well." – Gretchen Schott

Conflict is often viewed negatively, but it’s a part of daily life. Reflecting on areas of conflict gives you an opportunity to grow. In this insightful episode of Made For Impact, host Gretchen Schott digs into conflict management with a special focus on internal conflicts that leaders may face within themselves. She provides thought-provoking commentary on why conflict arises and how it can affect personal progress and leadership effectiveness.

Gretchen empowers you to lead with intention, tackle internal challenges head-on, and foster the growth necessary for profound personal and professional impact.

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• Why understanding and managing one's internal conflicts is crucial for personal well-being and for leading others effectively.

• A hands-on exercise to organize thoughts and tasks, prioritize workload more effectively, and tackle activities you might be avoiding or causing stress.

• How leaders can react more positively and be more present in challenging situations with their teams.

Get in touch with Gretchen, and let her know which impactful leaders you’d like to hear from: Connect on LinkedIn or Subscribe to our newsletter.

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://link.chtbl.com/QY4Knw_x  

Strong leaders at all organizational levels are a requisite for business success. The GrowU Leadership Pathways, developed by Gretchen Schott, keeps a leadership ‘pipeline’ flowing to ensure skilled and competent leaders are present throughout every brand in the Threefold Portfolio. This episode of Made for Impact dives into one of the six core competencies in this leadership journey – Conflict Management. 

Jump into the conversation:

[00:00] Introduction to Made for Impact

[00:16] A different way of examining self-management of conflict

[02:35] What to do when the overwhelm and anxiety threaten your workload

[04:51] Planning out an approach once you’ve identified tasks and a timeline

[06:10] Why it’s important to self-reflect in personal conflict management to become a better leader

[07:04] Understanding the role of self-care in leadership

"If we start growing the company and we're not growing the people, the tension between the company and the people stretches and stretches and stretches. Eventually, it's going to snap or break." - Pamela Carrington-Rotto

Dr. Pamela Carrington-Rotto is an executive coach specializing in neural leadership and neurolinguistic programming. With extensive experience facilitating company growth and strategic thinking, she offers insights into leadership, conflict resolution, and cultivating company culture. 

Host Gretchen Schott welcomes Pamela to discuss the intricacies of scaling up in business, managing a multigenerational workforce, and the importance of aligning core values with productivity within a team. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Though deeper and more tedious, strategic work is difficult to grasp but crucial for effective scaling. 

• It is important to align team members with a company's core values and ensure their productivity to create a successful and cohesive culture through coaching and skills training.

• Useful consensus and decision-making models for promoting quicker alignment and more efficient conflict resolution.

Connect with Pamela: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelacarringtonrotto/ 

About Pamela’s Company: http://markayadvisors.com/ 

Get in touch with Gretchen, and let her know which impactful leaders you’d like to hear from: Connect on LinkedIn or Subscribe to our newsletter.

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://link.chtbl.com/QY4Knw_x  

Strong leaders at all organizational levels are a requisite for business success. The GrowU Leadership Pathways, developed by Gretchen Schott, keeps a leadership ‘pipeline’ flowing to ensure skilled and competent leaders are present throughout every brand in the Threefold Portfolio. This episode of Made for Impact delves into the third of fourth core competencies in this leadership journey – Conflict Management. 

Jump into the conversation:

[00:00] Introduction to Dr. Pamela Carrington-Rotto

[03:56] The women who have impacted Pamela’s life significantly

[09:05] The seeds of initiative and presenting ideas

[12:32] What Pamela told Gretchen’s team about decision-making

[15:18] How a four-finger rule encourages consensus without stigma

[21:21] Understanding how you’re getting in your own way in making team decisions

[26:38] How to have the right mindset when facilitating team conversations

[31:07] Pamela’s pathway to scaling up

[35:07] The importance of growing your people as you grow your business

[40:31] Gauging team members’ productivity and values alignment for company growth

[46:14] Avoiding snap judgments about team member motivation

“We need to be focusing on our inner self and trusting that deep voice inside of us that says that we can do things. Trusting that inner child that was joyful and happy.” - Gretchen Schott

Gretchen Schott is a seasoned leadership coach and influencer and passionate advocate for empowering leaders to leave a lasting impact on their organizations, teams, and lives. With decades of experience, she has worked with a diverse range of leaders, from front-line employees to HR leaders and business owners, to help them unlock their full potential and create a culture of growth and impact within their organizations.

In this episode, Gretchen shares her personal experiences of connecting with people, nurturing relationships, and empowering others to embrace their true potential. She delves into the importance of trust, security, and support within a team and offers practical strategies for fostering a culture of growth and empowerment.

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• The value of genuine relationships cannot be overstated. The impact we can have on others and the unexpected ways they can impact us is truly remarkable.

• Why it's essential to identify what truly brings us security and confidence, trusting our inner voice and embracing our innate capabilities to overcome fears and insecurities.

• Ways to feel safe and secure within ourselves and how to extend that same sense of security to others through mentorship and support.

Get in touch with Gretchen, and let her know which impactful leaders you’d like to hear from: Connect on LinkedIn or Subscribe to our newsletter.

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://link.chtbl.com/QY4Knw_x  

Strong leaders at all organizational levels are a requisite for business success. The GrowU Leadership Pathways, developed by Gretchen Schott, keeps a leadership ‘pipeline’ flowing to ensure skilled and competent leaders are present throughout every brand in the Threefold Portfolio. This episode of Made for Impact delves into the third of six core competencies in this leadership journey – Coaching & Influencing. 

Jump into the conversation:

[00:00] Introduction to Gretchen Schott

[00:32] Two moments in Gretchen’s busy week that emphasized the importance of connecting with others through leadership

[02:12] The impact of leadership principles and random meetings

[02:53] How to invest in personal relationships

[04:14] A metaphor for tackling your fears and insecurities from Dumbo 

[05:34] Understanding what makes you feel secure and finding opportunities to extend that to others

“There's a huge difference between what am I actually good at and what I wish I were good at. If I can zero in on my real talent and stop worrying about the B's and the C's, then I can double down on things where I'm already getting an A and make them an A+.” - Tom Girard

Tom Girard is no stranger to stress. With years spent in corporate retail and at startups in San Francisco and New York, Tom made the radical change to become a certified coach based on a transformative relationship with his own coach and the unveiled realities of who he truly was and wanted to be. 

In this episode, Tom and Gretchen discuss his journey to coaching and his philosophy that understanding your strengths and aligning them with your leadership style will propel you forward in your career and life. Deeply rooted in authenticity, psychological safety, and the potential of reflective listening, Tom is dedicated to helping leaders develop a robust toolkit for fostering an environment of trust, growth, and innovation.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How harnessing your strengths and identifying (and letting go of!) your weak spots can bolster your leadership excellence.

• The distinction and communication around being a coach and being a mentor. A coach provides space for self-discovery and challenging actions based on what’s right for you, whereas mentors offer their perspectives and experiences as a blueprint for what could be done. 

• Strategies to breaking free from fear and limiting beliefs and cultivating a pathway to greatness through radical self-discovery.

Connect with Tom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomgirard/ 

About Tom’s Company: https://www.tom-girard.com/ 

Get in touch with Gretchen, and let her know which impactful leaders you’d like to hear from: Connect on LinkedIn or Subscribe to our newsletter.

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://link.chtbl.com/QY4Knw_x  

Strong leaders at all organizational levels are a requisite for business success. The GrowU Leadership Pathways, developed by Gretchen Schott, keeps a leadership ‘pipeline’ flowing to ensure skilled and competent leaders are present throughout every brand in the Threefold Portfolio. This episode of Made for Impact delves into the third of six core competencies in this leadership journey – Coaching & Influencing. 

Jump into the conversation:

[00:34] Introduction to Tom Girard

[01:44] Tom’s journey to becoming an executive coach

[03:48] Recognizing distorted views and patterns that had ruled during corporate life

[07:47] Definition of coaching and what distinguishes it from other forms of leadership guidance

[11:30] The importance of being a mirror in coaching 

[13:03] How the emotion and what you are feeling is a better indicator of movement than the words your brain is saying

[15:18] Strategies to positively influence individuals when coaching

[21:41] Embracing acknowledgment of needs and self-advocacy for growth

[27:00] The impact Tom’s father has had on him and the impact Tom wants to have on others

“The number one question I probably ask clients is, how do you feel about that? I ask feeling questions a lot, especially of my executive leaders that I coach because they don't get asked that very often.” - Beth Rashleigh

Beth Rashleigh knows how to influence. Her time at the CIA and now as a certified coach with the International Coaching Federation has given her the insight and experience needed to focus on her personal mission to empower leaders with awareness and the skills needed to lead exceptional teams by putting the focus on others, or more simply, being more empathetic. 

In this episode of Made for Impact, Beth talks with host Gretchen Schott about the valuable strategies leaders need to enhance their own coaching skills, improve employee relationships, and create a culture of trust and growth.  From practical coaching questions to understanding the significance of deep conversations, Beth's insights promise to elevate your leadership capabilities, instill a growth mindset, and foster a more impactful and inclusive work environment.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Focusing on others, building trust, and creating safe spaces can help you become a more empathetic leader and have a lasting impact on your team and business. 

• Strategies that allow leaders to shift from managing to coaching and how asking the right questions can empower your team members to thrive.

• The leadership lessons hidden in the heartwarming show Ted Lasso and how they can transform your approach.

Connect with Beth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethrashleigh/ 

About Rashleigh Consulting:https://www.rashleighconsulting.com/ 

Beth’s book: Crisis Proof Leadership https://www.rashleighconsulting.com/Book 

Beth’s Podcast about the leadership lessons in the show Ted Lasso: https://www.rashleighconsulting.com/podcasts/the-diamond-dogs-podcast 

Get in touch with Gretchen, and let her know which impactful leaders you’d like to hear from: Connect on LinkedIn or Subscribe to our newsletter.

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://link.chtbl.com/QY4Knw_x  

Strong leaders at all organizational levels are a requisite for business success. The GrowU Leadership Pathways, developed by Gretchen Schott, keeps a leadership ‘pipeline’ flowing to ensure skilled and competent leaders are present throughout every brand in the Threefold Portfolio. This episode of Made for Impact delves into the third of six core competencies in this leadership journey – Coaching & Influencing. 

Jump into the conversation:

[01:51] Introduction to Beth Rashleigh

[05:18] Shift from telling to asking to engage employees

[08:44] Beth’s work at the CIA and transition to leadership development

[13:48] Where influence plays a role and the difference between coaching & influencing

[16:12] The common challenges Beth has encountered in her coaching process

[20:55] The lessons that Ted Lasso can teach us and Beth’s podcast about the leadership lessons in the show

“I believe that adapting leadership is about picking up on situational cues and adjusting in the moment." - Gretchen Schott

Leaders often establish themselves with a specific approach, something that has worked for them time and again. But what happens when it doesn’t? Join host and Leadership Professor Gretchen Schott for this Leadership Lesson to discover the freedom of adaptability in leadership style. Learn how self-awareness and experimentation transform responsiveness in the face of change.

Gretchen also issues a challenge for listeners this week that can turn an anchored leadership style into a flexible approach that facilitates individual growth. Tune in to better understand leadership styles and how to adjust in any situation. 

 In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• Changing Up Interpersonal Approaches: Understanding preferred leadership approaches to know how to change them when the situation requires it. 

• Being Self-Aware and Open to Change: Experimenting outside of what’s comfortable and experiencing the benefits of discomfort.

• Directive or Supportive: Reading a situation and deciding whether to be directive, supportive, or neither to encourage growth. 

Get in touch with Gretchen, and let her know which impactful leaders you’d like to hear from: Connect on LinkedIn or Subscribe to our newsletter.

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://link.chtbl.com/3EbmWF5a 

Strong leaders at all organizational levels are a requisite for business success. The GrowU Leadership Pathways, developed by Gretchen Schott, keeps a leadership ‘pipeline’ flowing to ensure skilled and competent leaders are present throughout every brand in the Threefold Portfolio. This episode of Made for Impact delves into the second of six core competencies in this leadership journey - Adaptive Leadership 

Jump into the conversation:

[00:00] The Leadership Professor on leaving your mark as a leader

[00:28] Defining your leadership style

[02:17] A leadership exercise to change up your approach

[03:55] Quoting Aristotle and Gretchen’s word of the year

[04:29] How to get in touch with Gretchen

"Leadership is an influence relationship among leaders and followers who achieve real change." - Vicki Halsey

Vicki Halsey is a renowned leadership expert and VP of applied learning for Blanchard. She shares valuable insights into the complexities of leadership and delves into the SLII situational leadership model. Vicki’s approach encourages leaders to empower their employees by recognizing their contributions and fostering a workplace where everyone feels appreciated and valued. 

Throughout the conversation with Gretchen Schott, Vicki describes how leaders can adapt their styles to the development levels of their team members, stating that it's vital to be "consistently inconsistent" based on the goal or task and the individual involved. Listen to this episode to discover actionable tips on leadership and hear Vicki's reasoning on why positive work environments extend their influence beyond the office walls.

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• How personalized recognition affects the workplace compared to generic praise and the importance of understanding individual preferences for appreciation. 

• How to apply the concepts of the ENGAGE model to energize and engage employees in meetings and training through facilitating dialogue and interactive learning. 

• Why you should implement an adaptable leadership style to meet team members' varying needs and developmental levels. 

Connect with Guest: Vicki Halsey

Check out the website: http://www.vickihalsey.com/ 

Check out Blanchard:https://www.blanchard.com/ 

Get in touch with Gretchen, and let her know which impactful leaders you’d like to hear from: Connect on LinkedIn or Subscribe to our newsletter.

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: 

Strong leaders at all organizational levels are a requisite for business success. The GrowU Leadership Pathways, developed by Gretchen Schott, keeps a leadership ‘pipeline’ flowing to ensure skilled and competent leaders are present throughout every brand in the Threefold Portfolio. This episode of Made for Impact delves into the second of six core competencies in this leadership journey - Adaptive Leadership.

Jump into the conversation:

[00:44] Introduction to Vicki

[05:26] What many misunderstand about a leader’s role 

[08:10] How to answer requests for help

[09:45] Defining SLII development levels

[15:51] Why leaders should capture best practices

[18:30] Understanding when to empower instead of solving problems

[24:12] A distinction around delegating tasks

[27:46] Why you should be ‘consistently inconsistent’ in leadership

[34:19] The importance of telling your people why their work matters

[39:11] The development of the ENGAGE model

[42:39] How to get in touch with Vicki

[44:19] Wrapping up

“It's coaching. It's listening. It's the ability to ask good questions. It's the ability to create safety for people in a psychologically safe environment where they comfortable saying, ‘I don't know’, and ‘here's what I need’ and getting that need met so that they can be set up for success.”  - Sam Thompson

Sam Thompson is a seasoned leadership development expert who understands that great leaders need to adapt. With a genuine passion for helping leaders hone their skills and employees find their path, Sam's teachings on the SLII model offer a fresh perspective on nurturing leadership at every level — from front-line workers to the C-suite. 

In this episode, Sam dives deep with host Gretchen Schott, into the practicalities of the adaptive leadership model and shows you how it can revolutionize communication within your organization, reduce stress, avoid costly mistakes, and curb employee attrition. He dismantles the myth that more conversations equal wasted time and reveals the keys to effective delegation. Great leadership is about understanding that everyone's journey is unique and being able to adjust our approach to meet them where they are and Sam tells us why. 

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• How the art of adaptive leadership can empower your team, fostering a culture of growth and independence by matching your leadership style with each employee's developmental stage.

• How to effectively delegate, ensuring you pass on tasks to cultivate capability within your team and lean into the power of trusting your people to keep your business thriving. 

• Why you should build a psychologically safe environment and tailor your communication, coaching, and motivation strategies to individual needs. 

Connect with Guest: Sam Thompson

Check out SGT Training: https://www.sgttraining.com/ 

Get in touch with Gretchen, and let her know which impactful leaders you’d like to hear from: Connect on LinkedIn or Subscribe to our newsletter.

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://link.chtbl.com/3EbmWF5a 

Strong leaders at all organizational levels are a requisite for business success. The GrowU Leadership Pathways, developed by Gretchen Schott, keeps a leadership ‘pipeline’ flowing to ensure skilled and competent leaders are present throughout every brand in the Threefold Portfolio. This episode of Made for Impact delves into the second of six core competencies in this leadership journey - Adaptive Leadership.

Jump into the conversation:

[00:37] Introduction to Sam

[06:18] Sam & Gretchen’s favorite moments of working together 

[08:00] Defining Adaptive Leadership

[10:06} Why it is such an important foundational set of skills

[13:32] Walking through the SLII Model

[17:13] Why managers fail at delegating

[20:09] The importance of trust in leadership

[22:35] Some common misconceptions regarding the time it takes to communicate

[26:51] Other skills and attributes that make for good adaptive leaders

[28:19] How to connect with Sam

“ I believe when you're setting goals, they need to be reasonable, they need to be attainable, and less is more." - Gretchen Schott

Reflection and transformation are words that resonate with many people in a New Year. The calendar gives us a natural fresh start to spend time with ourselves and plan what’s to come. In this Leadership Lesson, host and Leadership Professor Gretchen Schott delves into the transformative power of prioritizing personal growth and development and setting intentaionl goals to foster a growth mindset. 

Gretchen also shares her practice of choosing one word as a theme for her life for that year. This word helps shape goals and becomes a space in which her personal growth is rooted. Listen in for more on setting intentions and taking a step towards becoming a more impactful leader.

 In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• One Word Practice: Choosing one word as a life theme, and setting intentions for personal growth sets the tone for the year and guides goal-setting.

• Setting Reasonable and Attainable Goals: Emphasizing the importance of setting fewer, achievable goals to focus on being the best version of yourself and growing as a leader.

• Supportive Community: Encouraging sharing and discussion around personal themes and goals with friends and family for mutual encouragement and inspiration.

Get in touch with Gretchen, and let her know which impactful leaders you’d like to hear from: Connect on LinkedIn or Subscribe to our newsletter.

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: https://link.chtbl.com/3EbmWF5a 

Strong leaders at all organizational levels are a requisite for business success. The GrowU Leadership Pathways, developed by Gretchen Schott, keeps a leadership ‘pipeline’ flowing to ensure skilled and competent leaders are present throughout every brand in the Threefold Portfolio. This episode of Made for Impact delves into the first of six core competencies in this leadership journey - Goal Setting & Review. 

Jump into the conversation:

[00:00] The Leadership Professor on prioritization and goal setting

[00:42] The “One Word” practice

[03:14] Reflecting on Kate Volman’s thoughts on mindset and overcoming those myths about stopping your dreams.

[04:13] Clearing some space to set your goals for the year

[08:03] Gretchen’s one word and why she chose it