Shed The Formality

It's easy to avoid the hard things by doing the routine things. - Amy Goober

Amy Goober's newest program Drive Your Life ™ helps women put themselves back on the To Do List and get into action. Drive Your Life ™ is a signature talk, small group coaching program, vibrant Facebook group and soon to be published book. Amy's program supports women to get into the driver's seat of their own lives using a unique 5 step process to start moving forward. Women are finding success in so many areas: career, health and wellness, love relationships, parenting, friends and activities.

Amy received her B.S. in psychology from Cornell University. She opened The Icing on the Cake, a Boston cake bakery, at 26 in 1986. She has since sold it, but it continues to be one of the top bakeries in the Boston area.

As a C.O.P.E. Certified Health Coach, through the Villanova School of Nursing, Amy has helped over 600 clients in her 7 years of health and wellness coaching. She has reached the level of Global Director at Optavia, being one of only 2% of all 35,000 Health Coaches at the company. She leads, supervises and mentors a team of 70 coaches. Amy has moved from bakery founder to stay at home Mom, seasoned health coach, and now founder of her newest program Drive Your Life ™. She speaks on leadership, health and wellness and personal motivation topics.

• What Amy wanted to be when she grew up and how it plays out in her work today (2:30)
• Career transitions: From Secretary to Advertising to Baker to stay at home mom to coach for women  (4:40)
• Making the shift from promoting a product to a service based on your own ideas & thoughts/Amy Goober. (18:30)
• Create to create and enjoy a hobby not to always produce. (27:00)
• Dealing with low motivation, avoiding burn out, and the importance of having the right support system (33:00)
• Biggest formality Amy had to shed to get to where she is today (43:00)

Watch your own behavior. And when you're not doing what you should be doing [for your life or business] try to figure out why. - Amy Goober

"I don't speak at people. I try to speak with people." - Stefano McGhee

Stefano McGhee has worked in the Information Technology field for more than 25 years. In addition, he retired from a leadership role in the Military after 21 years of service.

In each of these roles, people became the foundation of solving problems. He learned that by getting to know decision-makers on a human level, he was more successful at influencing them.

Stefano is committed to boosting the confidence of his teams through constructive feedback while aligning personal & organizational goals. As a result, individuals see how their unique contributions make the organization better.

More recently, Stefano received his Private Pilot and Remote Pilot certificates, and is currently working towards his Instrument rating. He imagines becoming an evangelist on aviation, encouraging young adults and mid-career adults to take on the wonder of flight.

Connect with Stefano on LinkedIn

• What Stefano wanted to be when he grew up and how that plays out today (5:20)
• Bringing energy to leadership and getting people on board (12:25)
• Struggles & challenges with leading with personality (18:25)
• Doing things your way and putting yourself out there in different settings (25:25)
• Curiosity and getting others invested in your vision or ideas (35:15)
• Biggest formality Stefano had to drop to get to where he is today (40:00)

Toastmasters International

Today we have a special episode. In addition to hosting Shed The Formality, I've been putting myself out there as a guest on other marketing, entrepreneurship & personal development podcasts.

I'm a believer in practicing what I preach and had a recent realization that I'm not putting MY ideas out there as much as I'd like. One way for me to do that more is to guest on other people's podcasts. It's been a blast.

So, today's episode is a replay of a recent podcast where I sat in the guest seat.

The podcast is called The Energy Within and it is hosted by Kerri Jokala, a Reiki Master, Fitness Trainer, singer and overall cool person. Kerri and I connected via a podcast FB group. Kerri is a generous and likable host. So tune in to her podcast, too!

I'm sharing this episode here, with Kerri's permission, because we talk about formalities that hold people back. And in this episode specifically we talk about about the formality of "waiting for permission". 

Permission is a concept that has been coming up a lot in conversations I'm having with colleagues and in my client workshops and networking events. I've heard more than once:

You gave me permission to… (insert action here - speak up, be more myself, leave a networking conversation, etc.)

I even wrote a blog post about permission, you can find that at engagetheroom.com/permission.

Connect on Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/staceyshipman

Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/engagetheroom

Get her email newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/engagetheroom/newsletter

Have you ever felt uncomfortable in a networking situation, or at a party with people you don't know, or even just meeting new people in general?

We tend to behave and believe that we need to put on our "professional" persona when we're at work, running our business, etc., and that we can't be the same person we usually are in our daily lives.

Stacey Shipman is here to blast all of that thinking away for you. Her mission is to help you shed the formality, and feel more comfortable being yourself in ALL situations. Of course, you can still be professional, especially in situations where you should be, but that doesn't mean pretending to be someone different than who you really are.

I LOVE this episode, and my FAVORITE part is our chat about realizing you already have permission to be and do what you want to do with your life. Share this one, tag us, and let us know what YOUR favorite part was!

Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/kerri_jokala

Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KerriKER

Kerris website: https://kerrijokala.com

I had to shed the belief that in 1 darn hour, if my client wants A, B, C, or D, I had to give it to her. - Laurie Schloff

As a lifelong communication coach, Laurie Schloff helps people achieve outstanding relationships and results through communication.

After earning her undergraduate degree in Speech Pathology from Rutgers University, and her graduate degree in the same field from Columbia University, she worked as a clinical instructor at Northeastern University, training graduate students in speech and language pathology before going out on her own.

Laurie has a particular interest in adding to human well-being and justice and works with the Anti-Defamation League, Oxfam America, and Room to Grow.

Laurie's expertise, along with her intelligence, warmth, humor and creativity add to communication excellence and outstanding business results.

You haven't earned the right to cut yourself some slack if you haven't put 2 ounces of thinking into the event, situation or meeting where people NEED your expertise and planning. - Laurie Schloff

Partners in Communication

Laurie's Public Speaking Course

• What Laurie wanted to be when she grew up and how it plays out today (2:15)
• Her from speech pathology to speech coach/communication (4:45))
• Formalities Laurie had to shed to get to where she is today (7:15))
• How to adapt to your clients' needs without losing who you are. (9:40)
• Importance of setting boundaries, people pleasing, and enough is enough (15:30)
• Practical communication perspective - what people need to shed to communicate ideas with impact (19:15)
• Being human, making mistakes, drop perfection, acting vs natural (24:15)
• Oral image (vocal image), the sound of your voice and why it matters (28:30)

You have to know your workplace, the environment you're operating in and you need to know yourself. You may not be funny. So if you're not funny, find someone who is. - Cyn Epler

Raised in suburban Ohio, Cynthia Epler grew up interested in foreign adventures and at 18 years old, boldly crossed the northern border to attend the University of Michigan without a passport. After completing her highly marketable degree in German and French, she purchased a one-way ticket to Austria where she taught English, American history, and US pop culture as part of the Fulbright program until landing a Euro-dot-com job in London. After sufficiently mildewing, she finally traveled to Washington DC where she found the lowest paying job possible working on international democracy development at the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES).

Since joining the Defense Department, Cyn completed six tours in Afghanistan, advised four-star generals, and otherwise found life with the military rewarding work. The hardship tour in Hawaii, where she learned how to surf, didn't suck either.

Based out of Florida since 2011, Cyn enjoys writing humor, torturing her Midwestern friends with how awesome the Sunshine State is, and beaching it with her beloved, fuzzy sidekick Fiona. Fiona and Cyn are available for Bar/Bat Mitzahs, family reunions, and other events, which might result in a Jerry Springer-like mayhem.

LinkedIn

Instagram

• What Cyn wanted to be when she grew up and how it plays out today (3:00)
• Working for the government and department of defense/defense intelligence after 9/11 (6:01)
• Bringing comedy and humor into her life and work (11:08)
• The struggle of bringing humor to her job and dealing with serious people (20:08)
• What to know and look for as an emerging or established leader when using humor at work (24:58)
• Cyn's current side gig teaching people how to use levity in the work place and how she unlocks the humor muscle in other people (29:00)
• Biggest formality Cyn had to shed to get to where she is today (35:15)

"I had to integrate who I am with the work I put into the world. - Larissa Haynes

In 2020 Digital Influence Media named Larissa Haynes the #6 Executive Coach in Boston.

A coach and consultant, Larissa understands the landscape of business and what it takes to lead people through growth. She brings the theory and foundation of her MBA, the experience of over 20 years in business, and the practice of 10 years in coaching and consulting to her work.

She's worked with over 200 companies and their leaders to help create efficiency and growth at all organizational levels. If you are ready to grow, Larissa is ready for you.

Quivet Consulting

Larissa on LinkedIn

• What Larissa wanted to be when she grew up and how that plays out today (1:30)
• Formalities that kept her from being who she is (5:28)
• Making a shift from finance to coach (9:00)
• Separating personal from professional or integrating who you are with the work you do (13:18)
• Taking up space and allowing others to do the same (16:20)
• Going back into the corporate as a coach and the sales conversation (25:20)
• Using LinkedIn to grow your business and make connections. It's a conversation! (36:30)

It's the common experiences that link us. Not the stories about climbing Everest. - Michael Davis

When you hire a coach, trainer or speaker, do you want someone who has experience and expertise?

Michael Davis's work is focused on helping you attract more clients, create more efficient teams and increase your influence through more effective speaking, business storytelling and online presentations. He helps experienced speakers, entrepreneurs, and sales professionals deliver memorable and meaningful talks of any length, even on short notice.

He currently lives in Blue Ash, Ohio with his family, and the overlords of their house, Sky the Super Chihuahua and her underling, Riley the Mini-Chihuahua.

52 Storytelling Tips sign up

Michael on LinkedIn

YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpeakingCPRYouTube

Speaking CPR on Facebook

Speaking CPR website

• What Michael wanted to be when he grew up and how that plays out today in his work as a presentation skills coach (1:20)
• Using Intrinsic Motivation to build speaking skills and becoming a public speaking coach ( 6:45)
• It is natural for human beings to be afraid of speaking (8:50)
• Beliefs and behaviors Mike had to drop to feel more comfortable speaking. (12:00)
• "Don't fall into the trap of familiarity with your own topic that you forget that most people have no clue what you're talking about and they need that information." (14:58)
• Recording yourself and watch it (If you're not willing to watch/listen to yourself, why would anyone else watch you (15:44)
• How to ask for feedback on a speech or presentation (17:50)
• Importance of putting presentations together (22:14)
• Public speaking formalities that keep us stiff and stuffy (i.e., gestures, lack of emotion, etc) (26:15)
• Speaking for free or speaking for fee? (36:00)
• Importance of having mentors/coaches (40:00)
• What if people own't like my style (42:00)

Give yourself permission to experiment, fail and learn. - Scott Stolze

In today's connection economy, nothing matters more than the ability to communicate well and build healthy relationships with those you work with. This is what Scott helps people do.

Scott spent 18 years in corporate roles, including several middle management positions, in 2017 he pivoted into coaching and consulting, inspired by the mission to help people in their personal development and in becoming Great Communicators not just once in awhile, but every single day.

Download his new Guide: 13 Laws of Communication: How to Communicate Effectively in Today's World

Scott on LinkedIn

By Email: scott (at) teaching2lead (dot) com

• What Scott wanted to be when he grew up and how it plays out today (2:05)
• Making the move from asking people about themselves to getting people interested in him (5:25)
• Transitioning from telling someone else's story to telling your own (8:25)
• Is passion overrated? (11:50)
• Overcoming a fear of public speaking turning the fear into fuel and purpose (17:00)
• The more you verbalize your thoughts and ideas, the more clear your truth becomes (21:45)
• Permission to experiment, fail, learn and digging into permission (23:30)
• Instead of focusing on you, focus on the problem you solve for others (31:10)
• You can only serve others when you have your own clarity on who you are (34:25)
• How Scott maintains his wellbeing as a business owner (37:10)
• The biggest formality Scott had to shed to get to where he is now (42:45)

When you know your values it's a lot easier to make choices you are happy with. - Julien Fortuit

When Julien was younger, he knew he wanted to work in luxury goods. So as a student in business school, he found his way into Chanel with a friendly conversation and a pack of Dunhill Light cigarettes.

Over the years, Julien transitioned from operational marketing to finance control to high-end distribution to customer experience and business development. His resume is pumped with industrious concepts like "exports," as well as the delicate work of forming partnerships, throwing events with artists, and building the invisible web of his international network.

He's worked all over the UK, Europe, North & Latin America, Japan, and most of Asia. His work as a developer of organizations and careers involves taking stock of what is, so his clients can reach for what could be. All the while pointing to the opportunities right in front of them, so they have no choice but to leap.

Julien Fortuit Agency

Find Julien on LinkedIn

Follow Julien on Instagram

To fill your cup with new stuff, you have to empty your cup [of the old] - Julien Fortuit

• What Julien wanted to be when he grew up and how that plays out today (1:25)
• The formality & creativity of working for a luxury brand (5:45)
• How having a son and turning 40 shifted his work beliefs (10:20)
• On starting a coaching business and the formalities he had to shed (15:00)
• What he kept and what he let go of when moving from Chanel to Coach (23:10)
• Importance of values in decision-making (26:40)
• The difference between promoting someone else's brand vs promoting your own business or ideas (30:00)
• Biggest formalities Julien needed to shed to start his coaching business and finding a support network (36:14)

If you want people to invest in you, you must make an investment in yourself. - Julien Fortuit

You can have a career you love and still get burnout. - Beth Kennedy

Beth Kennedy brings more than twenty years of experience to her role as a leadership coach, resiliency-training expert, and speaker. With an extensive background in career development, she coaches high-potential individuals on how to use their influence strategically, collaborate effectively, and focus on innovation.

Beth has provided coaching and training to Millennium and Takeda since 2006.

She is the author of Career ReCharge: Five Strategies to Boost Resilience and Beat Burnout, which continues her mission of recharging individuals in their careers and lives so they have the energy needed for today's world.

Website

LinkedIn

Beth's Book: Career Recharge: Five Strategies to Boost Resilience and Beat Burnout

• What Beth wanted to be when she grew up and how it plays out today (3:05)
• Beth's journey from teacher to burnout to career coach  (5:45)
• Being curious about our own energy and attitude, the ripple effect and how she knew it was time to leave teaching (9:40)
• How she chose career recharge and what she learned from her Dad (13:50)
• Making the transition from teacher to business owner and finding the right support network (15:10)
• Formalities Beth had to shed to become the business person she is today (18:35)
• Owning the fact that you're in charge and not conforming to clients/others (20:32)
• People pleasing as a formality that leads to burnout and learning to say no (27:10)
• Using self-awareness to disrupt status quo and setting boundaries (32:10)
• Additional signs and symptoms of burnout (33:10)
• Biggest formality Beth had to shed to get to where she is today (39:20)

"Don't have to be pollyanna positive. But we do have to ask ourselves daily How am I showing up?"