Systematic Leader

Join us for a discussion about the importance of core values, building a community and why setting standards for your team is so important. Dave Stachowiak shares how he got into the coaching and leadership space, starting with a 15-year career at the Dale Carnegie training organization. He then pursued a doctorate degree and started the Coaching for Leaders podcast as a side project, which eventually became his main focus.

1. Core Values and Systems

Dave discusses the three core values that have guided his podcast from the beginning: 1) Ensuring the content is useful for leaders, 2) Maintaining consistency by publishing new episodes weekly, and 3) Prioritizing high-quality audio. These values have helped him make tough decisions, like turning down interview requests that don't align with what's most helpful for his audience.

2. Building an Engaged Community

Dave explains his approach to building an engaged community, focusing on a smaller group of Coaching for Leaders Pro members rather than trying to grow a massive following. He values depth of relationships over breadth, and has learned from mistakes like trying to provide too much long-form content that didn't resonate.

3. Lessons from a Mentor

Dave shares stories about a former manager named Rhonda Kurtz, who taught him the importance of setting high standards for excellence and leading by example. These lessons around valuing quality and integrity have stuck with Dave and continue to shape his approach to leadership.

4. Continuous Improvement

Dave discusses a current challenge of adjusting the length of his live events based on feedback from his community. He emphasizes the importance of being open to feedback, acknowledging blind spots, and iterating on processes to better serve his audience, even when it means making difficult decisions.

You can learn more about Dave Stachowiak over at the Coaching for Leaders podcast. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit a guest for the podcast that you think would be amazing, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Join us as we discuss the challenges of being a work-from-home father and how you can improve your productivity and work-life balance. Thom Gibson is the founder of Work From Home Dads. One of my favorite parts of this interview is the story he shares when he was a teacher and how he got buy-in from his students to help out in the classroom. It’s a perfect Leadership 101 lesson that all leaders can learn from.

Here are the highlights from the interview:

Work-from-home challenges and solutions

We discuss the challenges of working remotely, including the lack of in-person collaboration and the need to balance work and family responsibilities. Thom shares how he has created systems to stay productive and connected, such as delegating tasks to his team and using tools like TextExpander to streamline communication.

Leveraging AI to improve productivity

Thom and Karl explore how AI, specifically tools like ChatGPT, to help leaders and entrepreneurs become more efficient and effective. They discuss strategies for prompting AI to provide tailored solutions, such as asking specific questions one at a time and providing context, rather than just requesting a broad solution.

Thom's background and work-from-home dad initiative

Thom introduces his background as a former teacher and current social media and YouTube strategist at ConvertKit. He also discusses his side project, "Work from Home Dads", which aims to help fathers who work remotely be more productive and present with their families.

Cultivating a lifelong learning mindset

Thom shares how he has developed a passion for continuous learning, drawing inspiration from his mother's example and the teachings of podcasters like Jordan Harbinger. He emphasizes the importance of bringing your passion with you, rather than just chasing your "dream job".

Systematic networking and relationship building

Thom describes a system he has implemented for maintaining relationships and networking, inspired by Jordan Harbinger's "Six Minute Networking" approach. This involves regularly reaching out to contacts, logging interactions, and prioritizing those he hasn't connected with in a while.

You can learn more about Thom Gibson over at Work From Home Dads. You can also connect with him over on LinkedIn and Twitter.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit a guest for the podcast that you think would be amazing, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Join us for a discussion about how to use storytelling in your business and career. Sean Platt is Founder of Sterling & Stone and Co-Founder Invisible Ink Media. One of my favorite parts of this interview was the framework he teaches to small business owners so that they can sell their services.

Reflecting on storytelling and narrative

Sean shares his background as a writer, noting how his wife encouraged him to start writing and how he discovered the power of storytelling. He discusses the importance of narratives, how they shape our experiences, and how being intentional about the stories we tell ourselves and others can lead to better outcomes.

Applying storytelling to business and leadership

We explore how effective storytelling can be leveraged in business and leadership contexts. They discuss the importance of crafting compelling narratives that resonate with and empower your audience, rather than making yourself the hero. They also touch on the dangers of performative vulnerability or shallow stories.

Niching down in business to capture attention

When you niche down in your business you are able to capture people’s attention. If you write emails and copy on your site that is geared toward everyone you don’t gather anyone’s attention. In this interview he talks about his story telling framework that helps you create content for your niche audience.

Systematizing storytelling and capturing insights

Sean emphasizes the value of being intentional about collecting and cataloging the stories that arise in one's business and life. He suggests regularly reflecting on the "best stories" from a given week or period as a way to build up a robust narrative toolkit that can be applied to various situations.

You can learn more about Sean Platt over at Sterling and Stone. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit a guest for the podcast that you think would be amazing, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Join us for an interview about the importance of addressing the interconnection between personal and professional life, and helping clients dissolve inner blocks and triggers to free up mental space and creativity. Cathy Domoney is a coach who helps leaders release trauma and blocks to get the most out of their life and careers

Highlights from the interview:

1. The shift towards proactive mental wellness

Cathy discusses how high-performing leaders are increasingly recognizing the need to prioritize their own mental and emotional wellbeing, rather than just pushing through challenges. She highlights the importance of tuning into feelings and bodily signals as feedback, and taking radical responsibility for one's growth and development.

2. Establishing daily practices and routines

Cathy shares her own morning routine of journaling and mantras as a way to start the day grounded and focused on abundance. She emphasizes the need for leaders to experiment and find the practices that work best for them individually, rather than trying to fit a one-size-fits-all mold.

3. Embracing feedback and blind spots

Cathy discusses the value of having trusted advisors and loved ones who are willing to provide honest, constructive feedback - even if it's uncomfortable. She encourages leaders to actively seek out this input as a way to identify and address their blind spots.

4. Balancing professional and personal priorities

Cathy shares a personal example of prioritizing time with her son over a high-level business meeting, and how this decision was ultimately respected and appreciated by her colleagues. She emphasizes the importance of leaders honoring their whole selves, including their family and personal commitments.

5. Recommended resources and final thoughts

Cathy recommends the book "The Top Five Regrets of the Dying" as a powerful reflection on living a fulfilling life. She also shares her own journey of growth and self-discovery, and encourages leaders to embrace their own unique paths and not be afraid to be vulnerable.

You can learn more about Cathy over at cathydomoney.com. You can also connect with her on LinkedIn.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit a guest for the podcast that you think would be amazing, just reach out to me on the Systematic Leader website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

I'm sharing an episode of "Creating the Vision," Maria Maldonado Smith sits down with Karl Staib, the systems expert. We delve into the critical importance of creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to streamline business processes, mitigate friction, and drive both corporate and entrepreneurial success.

Maria kicks off the discussion by expressing her excitement to have Karl on the show, highlighting his expertise in developing SOPs that save time and money for small business owners. Karl’s approach involves examining current processes, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and designing simple yet effective SOPs for improved outcomes. This methodology not only benefits small businesses but also has significant applications in corporate settings.

The conversation then pivots to the essence of good habits and structures in both personal and business realms. Karl emphasizes that while the initial perception might be that such systems are rigid, they are essential for consistency and success. He draws an analogy between maintaining healthy habits like exercise and diet and implementing effective business processes. Both require consistency and structure to avoid fluctuations and setbacks.

Maria is curious about the journey that led Karl to create SOP Guy. Karl shares his story of evolving from running a consulting company called Work Happy Now to eventually finding his niche in SOPs. He touches on his diverse background, with his father's German precision and his mother’s Icelandic creativity, which has influenced his approach to systems and processes.

One of the key takeaways from Karl’s methodology is the concept of creating a one-page document for new employees. This document outlines strengths, communication preferences, and support expectations, significantly accelerating the onboarding process and fostering better relationships from the start. This simple yet powerful tool eliminates the awkward initial phase of understanding a new manager’s preferences and expectations, thus reducing friction and enhancing productivity.

Karl also discusses the importance of continuous improvement, a principle inspired by Toyota’s Kaizen philosophy. He stresses that systems and processes should always be in development to prevent plateauing. By setting a standard and continuously seeking ways to raise the bar, businesses can maintain engagement and drive better results.

Maria underscores the alignment between their work philosophies, particularly around the importance of systems in achieving goals. They reference "Atomic Habits" by James Clear, highlighting how systems and processes are foundational to turning goals into reality. Karl expands on this by explaining that creating SOPs helps in setting clear expectations and providing the necessary guardrails for creativity and productivity.

Towards the end of the episode, they discuss the practical application of these principles in mitigating friction within teams. Karl suggests creating a roadmap for improvement, focusing on high-impact, easily implementable changes. By starting with the most pressing issues and gradually addressing them, businesses can see significant improvements without feeling overwhelmed.

Maria concludes by encouraging listeners to apply these concepts not just in their professional lives but also in their personal lives. Creating SOPs for personal routines can lead to better organization, more time for important activities, and overall improved well-being.

Listeners interested in further exploring Karl’s work can visit sopguy.com for more resources, including a friction assessment tool. Karl’s book, "Bring Gratitude," is available on Amazon, offering insights into how gratitude can transform personal and professional lives. This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to enhance their business processes and achieve greater efficiency and success.

Join us for a discussion about how you can develop a simple CRM system that works well for your business. Adrienne Bellehumeur, author of 24 Hour Rule, shares her tips on developing a simple CRM system with simple tips to apply in your process. Karl also shares how you can build systems to create a CRM process that works well for your business.

1. Simple CRM Philosophies

Adrienne discusses three key CRM philosophies: 1) CRM is about the process, not just the tool; 2) CRM is about keeping the door open with clients, not just opening it; and 3) CRM is especially important for non-sales people who only sell part-time, as it helps them stay organized.

2. Effective Follow-Up Strategies

Adrienne shares two powerful follow-up techniques: 1) "Dripping" - doing a small amount of follow-up consistently (e.g. 2 contacts per day), which compounds over time; and 2) "Batching" - doing larger bursts of follow-up outreach (e.g. 20-30 emails) to maximize the chances of a sale.

3. CRM Cheat Sheet for Beginners

Adrienne provides a simple CRM "cheat sheet" for those just getting started: 1) Maintain a contact database, 2) Track active sales campaigns, 3) Prioritize open opportunities, and 4) Set reminders and follow-up tasks.

4. The Power of the 24-Hour Rule

Adrienne explains the "24-hour rule" - the idea that processing information and taking action within 24 hours of a client interaction is crucial, as our memory and connection to the details fades quickly over time. This is a key principle for effective CRM.

5. Recap and Next Steps

Adrienne and Karl summarize the key takeaways from their discussion on simplified CRM strategies, noting that the simple approaches they covered can be highly impactful, even for more complex businesses. They discuss plans to potentially turn the conversation into a podcast.

You can learn more about Adrienne Bellehumeur at Bellehumeur Company or on LinkedIn.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit a guest for the podcast that you think would be amazing, just reach out to me on the Dig to Fly website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Join us for a conversation about building a team that thrives with and without you. Dennis Dowdell is a best-selling author of Maximize You. One of my favorite parts of the interview is the story of how he trains people to replace him.

1. Leadership principles and frameworks

Dennis shared frameworks for leadership like knowing what comes next, importance of tasks, and utilizing available resources. Effective leadership is about performance, not position.

2. Developing leaders through systems and processes

Dennis explained his tell-show-do system for training others through demonstration and practice. Regular check-ins and encouragement build competence and confidence over 90 days.

3. Building confidence through competence

Trainees learn by teaching, deepening their skills and replacing Dennis. Continuous growth happens through challenging roles like training others.

4. Transitioning to a new phase of work

At 74, Dennis launched Maximize You to share his experience developing leaders worldwide. Marketing himself is challenging without previous support systems. He hired coaches to refine his processes.

5. Assumptions that enable leadership

Dennis assumes people do what makes sense to them and want to grow, make a difference and avoid failure. By focusing on others' potential, one can accomplish more than believed possible through encouragement.

You can learn more about Maria Maldonado Smith over at MMS Consulting. You can also connect with her on LinkedIn.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit a guest for the podcast that you think would be amazing, just reach out to me on the Dig to Fly website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Join us for a conversation about being flexible with how you connect and lead people. Maria Maldonado Smith is the Chief Empowerment Officer of MMS Consulting and creator of the Executive Vision Imagery program. One of my favorite parts of the interview was when she explained how to adapt to employees’ personalities will help build our relationship with them.

1. Prioritizing goals through self-reflection

Maria stresses regularly reflecting on true desires to avoid distraction, focusing inward to understand motivations before outward actions. How to communicate with people so they meet us where we are and accept us.

2. Reducing things down to make them manageable

Leaders often struggle to take action on the right things because they are overwhelmed.In this section you’ll learn how you can break things down to smaller chunks so they are manageable. You can make improvements by focusing on the things that matter and making small adjustments as you get feedback from the results.

3. Developing others through understanding motivations

It’s important to set standards for leadership and how people need to meet those standards before they are fired. Understanding each person's motivations beyond work, like family needs, informed Maria's leadership style shift to meet people as individuals through listening and notes.

4. The importance of visualization in goal achievement

Maria explains how daily visualization of goals through personal imagery supports focus and reminds us of our priorities, activating brain areas for motivation and driving us forward.

5. Rapid fire questions

She shares who one of her favorite leaders was in her career and what she learned from him. She also shares her most shared book, favorite podcast and most adored toy as a little girl.

You can learn more about Maria Maldonado Smith over at MMS Consulting. You can also connect with her on LinkedIn.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit a guest for the podcast that you think would be amazing, just reach out to me on the Dig to Fly website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Systematic Leader podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Join us for an in-depth conversation about leadership challenges and strategies for connecting with your people. Lucy Rowell has 20+ years of corporate leadership experience and now runs her agency. One of my favorite parts of the interview was her story about one of her favorite leaders from her career and why she was so good.

1. Leadership challenges and solutions

Lucy discusses an experience when she struggled as a leader and realized she needed to take action. She then shares how communicating context and being transparent with teams helps overcome challenges even if all members don't fully agree.

It's not about getting everyone to buy in, but about explaining the why, which helps people get on board even if they aren’t in full agreement with the decision.

2. Communication strategies for leaders

Weekly emails from Theresa, Lucy's mentor, helped teams feel connected by sharing wins across departments with a personal touch, teaching the importance of communication style and frequency for engaged followership.

3. Decision-making frameworks for leaders

Considering diverse perspectives helps mitigate blindspots, though not all will fully agree; transparency in drivers and vision aids understanding to get buy-in even from dissenters. Experimenting also helps us learn from inevitable mistakes.

4. Importance of diverse perspectives for leaders

Surrounding oneself with differing thinkers offsets weaknesses and prevents echo chambers, though introverts may need reminders to broaden networks; regular self-reflection further enhances awareness of blind spots.

5. Building self-awareness as a leader

Journaling daily wins and areas for improvement plants seeds for growth, as does clarifying values to make choices aligning with long-term vision. Coaching also aids in recognizing habitual thought patterns.

6. Experimenting and learning from mistakes

Viewing attempts as experiments shifts mindsets from failure to learning, allowing for small tests before committing; even costly errors become growth accelerators when met with self-forgiveness and understanding of ego-stories.

7. Top Recommendations

Learn what books Lucy likes to share with friends and colleagues.

Learn more about Lucy Rowell on the Impactful Authenticity website. You can also connect with her on LinkedIn.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit a guest for the podcast that you think would be amazing, just reach out to me on the Dig to Fly website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Dig to Fly podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Join us for an interview about delivering on expectations inside your business. This conversation was with Jim Stevenson, a founder and international growth consultant. One of my favorite parts of the interview is when he 

Highlights from the interview:

1. Agile methodologies and continuous improvement

Jim explained how agile principles of prioritizing value over process and delivering work iteratively helped transform how he builds organizations. Continuous improvement is key to reviewing whether the work remains optimally directed.

2. Tracking value over activity and delivering early

Jim argued for focusing on outcomes, not outputs, by delivering work incrementally and constantly validating its value. This prevents wasting months on potentially misguided work. Small, frequent deliveries also make course corrections easier.

3. Communication challenges and building trust

Communication difficulties often arise between organizational silos. Jim advocated for regular, informal check-ins to foster understanding and connection across teams. An open-door policy encourages addressing issues proactively.

4. Leadership lessons from mentors

Key mentors taught Jim sales, introduced agile practices, and how to prioritize outcomes. Adopting new strategies requires patience and educating skeptical colleagues over reprimanding them. Learning happens gradually when people feel heard.

5. Learning from mistakes and improving processes

Jim admitted to botching a client deal due to overreliance on experience over process. He now has stricter onboarding procedures to catch funding issues earlier. Success stems from acknowledging errors to continuously enhance one's work.

You can learn more about Jim Stevenson over at Founder and CEO of Bletchley Group. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn.

As always, if you have any questions or want to submit a guest for the podcast that you think would be amazing, just reach out to me on the Dig to Fly website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Dig to Fly podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!