Stepping Into your Leadership

Welcome back to the Leadership Summer Studio with your host, Christine Courtney! In this special episode, we dive into the challenges of handling a difficult employee named Michael, a senior analyst whose negative attitude towards new projects is dragging down his team. Joined by fan-favorite guests Blonka Winkfield and Tom Armstrong, our panelists tackle a real-world scenario that resonates with leaders everywhere. 

Tom shares insights on the value of having a dissenting voice in the room and how to channel that energy positively, while Blonka emphasizes the importance of addressing specific behaviors rather than attitudes. And just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, Tatiana Dominguez brings a thought-provoking perspective

that prompts even more nuanced discussion.

Stick around for the lightning round, where our guests answer as many leadership questions as they can in two minutes, providing rapid-fire wisdom and humor. This episode is jam-packed with actionable advice and leadership strategies you won't want to miss!

Tune in and discover how you can transform your ‘Michael’ into a valuable team asset. 

**Listen now and step up your leadership game!**

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Welcome to **Stepping into your Leadership**, your go-to podcast for inspiring leadership insights and strategies. In this episode, host **Christine Courtney** is joined by leadership gurus **Tom Armstrong** and **Blonka Winkfield** for a summer special you won't want to miss. 

Today’s focus is on handling a hypothetical yet all-too-familiar scenario involving a problem employee named Emily. She's a product manager who has unfortunately fallen behind on her quarterly performance goals, resulting in missed deadlines and a delayed project launch. 

Listen in as Tom and Blonka offer their expert advice on how to effectively navigate this challenging situation. They’ll explore the delicate balance between project management and employee development, sharing actionable tips and strategies you can apply in your own leadership journey.

In the **Leadership Lightning Round**, our guests sprint through rapid-fire questions, offering quick, actionable leadership insights in just two minutes. How do they handle tough decisions? What’s their approach to conflict resolution? And how do they balance being both a boss and a friend? Their answers might surprise you!

Whether you’re facing similar challenges or just interested in leveling up your leadership skills, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and practical advice. So grab your headphones, find a comfy spot, and get ready to soak in some top-tier leadership wisdom.

#### Highlights:

- **Scenario Analysis**: Dealing with an underperforming employee

- **Expert Advice**: Tom and Blanca’s strategies for managing projects and people

- **Leadership Lightning Round**: Rapid-fire insights on decision-making, conflict resolution, and balancing friendships at work

Tune in and transform your leadership approach with real-world scenarios and expert guidance from Tom Armstrong and Blonka Winkfield.

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Don't miss this insightful and practical exploration into effective leadership. Hit play and start stepping into your leadership today!

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In this engaging episode of "Stepping Into Your Leadership," Host Christine Courtney welcomes guests Jenny Greeman and Elaine Porcher to tackle the thorny issue of difficult team dynamics. Our "problem child" today is Gary—a capable team leader who's hit a rough patch with his colleagues, culminating in a heated argument and a formal complaint to HR. 

Join us as Jenny and Elaine unpack this complex scenario with their unique perspectives and practical strategies. From formal HR conversations to one-on-one meetings over lunch, discover actionable steps to restore harmony, morale, and productivity in your team. Along the way, we'll delve into the nuances of managing strong personalities, bridging generational gaps, and the importance of psychological safety at work.

Plus, don't miss out on our rapid-fire speed round, where our guests share their biggest leadership challenges, trust-building tips, and favorite resources for leading with impact. Whether you're a seasoned manager or an aspiring leader, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss!

Tune in and learn how to turn your "Gary" into a valued team player.

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Welcome back to the Leadership Summer Series on "Stepping into Your Leadership!" In today's episode, "Navigating Challenges with Lisa," we're diving into real-life workplace scenarios that test even the most seasoned managers. Join your host, Christine Courtney, as she teams up with exceptional leaders Jenny Greeman, Director of Programming for Pathways to Leadership, and Elaine Porcher, Senior Director of Business Development at the Leadership Program. 

This episode explores the case of Lisa, a dedicated customer service representative whose increasing tardiness and unplanned absences have snowballed into significant team and client issues. Christine, Jenny, and Elaine discuss practical approaches to handle these challenges—balancing empathy with accountability, exploring potential resolutions, and debating on different leadership styles to effectively manage similar situations.

You'll discover invaluable insights into:

• - Scheduling pivotal conversations with employees
• - Reframing issues from both a team and customer perspective
• - Maintaining a supportive yet structured work environment
• - Ensuring continuous personal growth as a leader

Plus, don't miss our rapid-fire leadership speed round, where our guests share quick tips and favorite leadership quotes. This episode promises to be a light yet impactful "leadership beach read" that you can tune into whether you're on a break or at your desk.

Join us to enhance your leadership skills and tackle those tricky workplace scenarios head-on! Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review.

**Listen now and step up your leadership game!**

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In this special summertime series of the Leadership Studio, host Christine Courtney is back with two of our favorites, Erika Petrelli-Bayh and Tom Armstrong, along with a special cameo by Tatiana Dominguez! Together, they navigate the complexities of giving feedback to a tough employee who's meeting his job requirements but seems stuck in the routine.

This episode dives deep into "Mark," a marketing coordinator who completes his tasks flawlessly but struggles with taking initiative and bringing innovative ideas to the table—key responsibilities for his role. Listen as Tom and Erika offer real-time, unfiltered advice on guiding employees like Mark towards excellence, while Christine ensures that their insights are both practical and inspiring.

What You'll Learn:

- Strategies to help employees balance task completion with creative thinking.

- The importance of clear, actionable feedback.

- Making your meetings more inclusive for introverts.

- How cultural awareness can impact team dynamics.

We also take you through a fun yet insightful speed round where our guests share their favorite leadership quotes and methods to celebrate team successes. So whether you're tuning in from your office or a sunny beach, get ready to elevate your leadership game this summer!

**Join us for a spirited discussion that promises to leave you with actionable takeaways for developing your own leadership skills and nurturing your team's potential.**

Have your own workplace conundrum? Send in your scenarios to [email protected] to be featured in future episodes as Tatiana compiles listener experiences for our guests to solve.

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Join our host Christine Courtney as she brings the warmth of the season straight to your earbuds. In this episode, Christine welcomes guests Erika Petrelli Bayh and Tom Armstrong for a lively discussion infused with sunshine and surf.

First, we kick off with a fun summer icebreaker as Christine, Tom, and Erika share their favorite summertime songs—get ready for some surprising choices! But the heart of this episode is all about leadership, specifically tackling tough feedback conversations.

Meet Sarah, a sales associate who has been struggling to accept and implement feedback, arguing that market conditions are to blame for her performance issues. Christine sets the stage, and our experts Erika and Tom dive in with their strategies for handling defensiveness and fostering improvement.

You'll hear practical, actionable insights on:

- How to change your feedback approach to better connect with defensive employees.

- The importance of setting shared goals and collaborative benchmarks.

- Utilizing mentorship and peer feedback to drive performance.

- Maintaining emotional discipline as a leader while supporting your team.

As always, our summer series aims to be as enjoyable as your favorite beach read—short, snappy, and packed with valuable takeaways. And don’t miss our rapid-fire speed round where Erika and Tom share their quick tips on essential reads for leaders and common mistakes new leaders make. 

Whether you're relaxing by the waves or commuting to work, this episode is your perfect companion to step up your leadership game. 

Have your own workplace conundrum? Send in your scenarios to [email protected] to be featured in future episodes as Tatiana compiles listener experiences for our guests to solve.

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Join our host, Christine Courtney, as she dives into real-life scenarios of workplace dynamics with our expert guests, Erika Petrelli Bayh and Tom Armstrong.

In this special summertime episode, we tackle a challenging scenario with "John" — a senior developer who's been interrupting colleagues and creating a tense atmosphere in team meetings. How do you approach a productive conversation with John to foster better team collaboration and innovation? Erika and Tom share their invaluable strategies and insights into navigating this tricky situation.

But that’s not all! Stay tuned for our lightning round where Christine puts Erika and Tom on the spot with rapid-fire leadership questions. Can they beat their record and bring even more valuable advice to the table?

Whether you’re soaking up the sun on a beach or enjoying a break in your backyard, tune in for this "beach read" version of leadership coaching that’s perfect for summer.

And if you’re craving a deeper dive, don’t forget to check out our previous 35 episodes for more comprehensive discussions.

**Key Takeaways:**

- How to address unconstructive behavior in team meetings

- Creative methods to ensure equitable participation

- The importance of defining hostile behavior in HR terms

- Using AI tools like ChatGPT for practicing difficult conversations

Join the conversation and step up your leadership game with Christine, Erika, and Tom. Hit play now and transform your team dynamics one scenario at a time!

Have your own workplace conundrum? Send in your scenarios to [email protected] to be featured in future episodes as Tatiana compiles listener experiences for our guests to solve.

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In this special summertime episode of "Stepping into Your Leadership," join host Christine Courtney as she welcomes back two of our most popular guests: Tom Armstrong and Erika Petrelli-Bayh. Both Tom and Erika bring their extensive experience in leadership, training, and managing diverse teams within the Leadership Program to the table as they tackle real-life workplace scenarios.

This week, our dynamic duo delves into the nuanced case of "Jane," a project manager who has been grappling with missed deadlines and incomplete reports, putting a crucial client relationship at risk. Listen as Tom and Erika offer their unique, hands-on approaches to addressing these performance issues, from creating empathetic dialogues to implementing actionable strategies for improvement.

Additionally, enjoy a rapid-fire lightning round where our guests share their insights on the qualities of great leaders and name individuals they admire in the leadership realm.

Have your own workplace conundrum? Send in your scenarios to [email protected] to be featured in future episodes as Tatiana compiles listener experiences for our guests to solve.

Whether you're a seasoned manager or an emerging leader, this episode is packed with actionable advice that you won't want to miss!

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Join us on the latest episode of *Stepping into your Leadership* as host Christine Courtney chats with veteran sales leader Joe McPheter to uncover the secrets behind effective sales strategies and the importance of embracing rejection. With nearly three decades of experience in sales and service, Joe shares insights from his journey at KeyBank and beyond, emphasizing the power of building relationships, the significance of listening, and the evolution of the sales profession.

In a conversation filled with inspiring anecdotes, Joe likens rejection to a gym workout—revealing how the more you face it, the stronger you become. Christine shares an intriguing story about an actress pursuing 50 rejections to land a single job, perfectly illustrating the perseverance required in the sales world. Together, they explore the art of asking opening questions, using strategic note-taking, and the necessity of providing and receiving honest feedback.

Discover how Christine’s father’s memorable career day left a lasting impression and learn why Joe emphasizes the evolving sophistication of modern consumers. Listen in for practical advice on becoming a trusted advisor, retaining customers, and building authentic relationships. Christine and Joe also delve into the valuable role women play in sales, advocating for more female representation in the industry.

Whether you're a seasoned sales professional or a newcomer eager to learn, this episode offers valuable lessons on resilience, relationship-building, and the fundamental belief that everyone is in sales–regardless of their job title. Tune in to *How to Thrive in Sales Through Rejection and Feedback* for an enriching and motivating discussion that will reshape how you view sales and leadership.

Daniel Pink's To Sell is Human

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In this enlightening episode of "Stepping into your Leadership," host Christine Courtney engages with leadership expert Greg Shamie to delve into one of the most crucial elements of effective leadership: trust. Join us as we explore the profound impact that trust has on personal relationships, workplace dynamics, and overall organizational success.

Christine and Greg discuss the foundational principles of trust, referencing the influential work of Stephen Covey and his son, and illustrating how trust serves as the glue that binds our interactions and efforts. They highlight the dual components of trust—competence and character—and reveal how these traits collectively enhance one's credibility as a leader.

Throughout the conversation, Greg shares compelling personal anecdotes, ranging from childhood experiences to professional encounters, underscoring the importance of communication, vulnerability, and transparency. Listeners will gain insights into the behaviors and actions that foster high-trust environments and learn the significance of aligning values, admitting mistakes, and consistently delivering on commitments.

Discover the power of extending trust first, the role of forgiveness in building stronger relationships, and how to navigate the inevitable breakdowns in trust that occur in both personal and professional settings. Whether you're aiming to enhance team engagement, boost productivity, or simply become a more trustworthy individual, this episode provides valuable strategies and actionable advice to elevate your leadership game.

Tune in and step into your leadership journey with a renewed focus on building and sustaining trust.

**Key Topics Covered:**

- The psychology of trust and its critical role in leadership

- Insights from Stephen Covey’s work on trust

- The equation for building trust: competence + character = credibility

- Real-life examples of trust-building and trust-breaking moments

- The significance of vulnerability, transparency, and authenticity

- Strategies for aligning personal and organizational values

- Practical steps for fostering a high-trust work environment

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