We’re back for the Season Five kick-off with a remarkable guest and friend to the show Dr. Chad “Chai” Kessler! On this season opener, Dr. Shari Dade sits down with Dr. Kessler and explores what it means to keep steady when the path forward is unclear, how to embrace mistakes as stepping-stones to growth, and ways to cultivate resilience. Whether you’re dealing with rapid change or simply wondering how to prepare for the unexpected, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable advice that couldn’t be more timely or essential!   

Dr. Kessler is the National Director of Emergency Medicine for the Veteran’s Health Administration, and he is currently consulting and acting as a liaison for the Veteran’s Experience Office. He has also made an incredible contribution to our organization with his weekly vlog C20 and much anticipated blogs and emails on life and leadership.  

Closed Caption Transcript is available at:  https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/TATF_S5E1.pdf  ===============================   

Key Lessons:        

1. There are moments when you overcome uncertainty because there are big things that need to get done and you may be the best person, in that moment, to get it done.    
2. Getting started is the hardest part, but it can often lead to a sense of accomplishment that helps you keep moving during periods of change and uncertainty.       
3. Be sure to find your support team during moments of uncertainty and lean on them when you feel overwhelmed or like a failure.     

Interested in learning more about services offered by the National Center of Organization Development? Please check out additional services here:  VHA National Center for Organization Development - Home (sharepoint.com)

We’ve all had those moments – when life, opportunity, or circumstance presents us with a choice—to step up, lead, and embrace a new direction. How do you recognize that call, and more importantly, how do you find the courage to answer it?  On this episode Dr. Shari Dade is delighted to sit down with the Honorable Tanya Bradsher to discuss how to answer life’s most important call – your purpose! Ms. Bradsher is VA’s first woman deputy secretary, first woman of color to serve in the position, and the highest-ranking woman in VA’s more than 90-year history. A fourth-generation Veteran, Ms. Bradsher—a combat Veteran of the Iraq War—served in the United States Army for 20 years and retired as a lieutenant colonel. Since retiring, she served as the VA’s Chief of Staff and in senior positions with the Department of Homeland Security and on the White House National Security Council.    

Whether you’re on the brink of a new opportunity, feeling stuck in indecision, or just curious about how leaders handle those pivotal moments, this episode will give you the insight and inspiration you need.   

Closed Caption Transcript is available at:  https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/TATF_S4E10.pdf  ===============================  

Key Lessons: 

1. Your journey does not have to be planned to be purposeful. There are times, you are taken down the unconventional path to get to where you are supposed to be. 
2. Your experiences, identities, and values can leave you with just the right mix of life that will help you be successful at what you do. Allow those experiences to give you the learning you need to be prepared when the call comes. 
3. When the door closes, it’s best to accept that the opportunity may not be for you and another opportunity may be your calling.    

Interested in learning more about services offered by the National Center of Organization Development? Please check out additional services here: VHA National Center for Organization Development - Home (sharepoint.com)

A supportive culture is the cornerstone of a workplace where people can fully engage and contribute – it’s central to any thriving team. It takes a delicate balance of both leaders and team members working together to create a culture where everyone feels supported and empowered. On this episode Dr. Shari Dade is joined by Dr. Alyshia Smith to discuss the idea of trust and authenticity—not just as a one-way street but as a dynamic relationship between leaders and their teams. Dr. Smith is the Executive Director of the Durham VA Health Care System and is responsible for setting the strategic and operational direction for the entire health care system.  Through her role, Dr. Smith engages with employees, Veterans, Veteran service organizations, Veteran service officers, academicians, and the broader community to accomplish the VA’s overall mission.   

This episode isn’t just about leadership from the top down; it’s about the collaboration of building a workplace where authenticity, trust, and a shared commitment to well-being creates something truly special. Get ready to join us as we explore the journey to a supportive work culture. Whether you’re leading a team, a part of one, or just curious about what makes a great workplace, stick around.   

Closed Caption Transcript is available at:  https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/TATF_S4E9.pdf  ===============================

Key Lessons:  

1. Communication is essential to developing a supportive work environment and, both, leaders and employees play a significant part in this.     
2. Leaders can use storytelling as a beneficial tool to help build connection and trust with employees.   
3. Making space for work-life integration is imperative. Ask employees what they need and encourage them to share their needs by active listening. 

Interested in learning more about services offered by the National Center of Organization Development? Please check out additional services here: VHA National Center for Organization Development - Home (sharepoint.com)

As leaders, we often face tough choices, and not every decision will turn out the way we hoped. What do you do when you find yourself in a sticky situation? How can you manage missteps, failure, regret and turn things around? On this episode Dr. Shari Dade sits down with Dr. Thuy Boardman to discuss how to navigate the role of leadership when decisions are tough. Dr. Boardman is an Organization Development Psychologist for VISN 8. In this role she provides executive and leadership coaching, team development, and leadership development services to VISN 8 facilities.  

Get ready to join us as we explore the journey through sticky leadership. Whether you're currently facing a sticky situation or simply want to be better prepared for the future, this episode is packed with valuable information you won't want to miss.

Closed Caption Transcript is available at: 
https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/TATF_S4E8.pdf
 ===============================

Key Lessons: 

1. Sharing your experiences with regrets or missteps in leadership helps increase authenticity and innovation. When done with intention, others can then feel free to express themselves more authentically.    
2. Don’t shy away from sticky decisions due to fear of failure or uncertainty. Instead, enter them with a team of support and an open mind.       
3. When on the lookout for a coach or mentor, avoid the echo chamber by taking the time to diversity your team and include those who may carry a different perspective, outlook, or experience than you.

Interested in learning more about services offered by the National Center of Organization Development? Please check out additional services here: VHA National Center for Organization Development - Home (sharepoint.com)

What does it truly mean for a team to feel a sense of ownership? How can leaders cultivate an environment where every team member is invested, engaged, and feels responsible for the success of the team? On this episode Dr. Shari Dade is joined by Kirsten Aghen as they dive deep into the nuances of these questions and more. Kirsten Aghen is the Director of the VHA National Improvement Office (NIO), within the Office of Quality Management, in the VHA Office of Quality and Patient Safety (QPS).   

Get ready to join us as we explore an incredibly important topic to discuss; how leaders can inspire ownership within their teams. Whether you're leading a team or working on your own leadership development, this episode is packed with actionable insights that you can start implementing right away!   

Closed Caption Transcript is available at: https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/TATF_S4E7.pdf ===============================

Key Lessons:     

1. By instilling ownership on a team, you move team members from simply doing what’s in front of them and drive them to lead themselves and each other’s for the good of the organization.
2. When inspiring ownership, it’s important to communicate the vision in ways the team can align with. 
3. When there’s resistance, take a pause and ask what can be done to close the gap of understanding.   

Interested in learning more about services offered by the National Center of Organization Development? Please check out additional services here: VHA National Center for Organization Development - Home (sharepoint.com)

Leading others often takes an incredible amount of courage and on this episode Dr. Shari Dade is joined by fellow consultant Dr. Courtney Barrett Smith to explore what qualities enable some to push through while others might falter. Dr. Barrett Smith is a Supervisory Senior Organization Development Psychology and leads the Systems and Analytics team in the Consulting Service at the National Center for Organization Development.   

Get ready to join us as we explore the journey of MisStepping into success as we uncover strategies that can help any leader rise to the occasion, even when it seems like the easier path is to yield.   

Closed Caption Transcript is available at: https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/TATF_S4E6.pdf ===============================

Key Lessons:  

1. There are times when being courageous is knowing when to use your voice or use your privilege in spaces to create room for others.   
2. Courageous leaders understand that going full throttle into every situation and challenge can carry risks both personal and professional. They take time to do a risk analysis and allow that to inform their decisions. 
3. When figuring out how much to lean into a challenge, consider whether the risk is worth it to you and aligns with your value and purpose. 

Please check out additional services here: VHA National Center for Organization Development - Home (sharepoint.com)

As we continue to explore what it takes to effectively lead others; Dr. Shari Dade is joined by Luke Steinbach. Mr. Steinbach is an Associate Director for the High Reliability Support Team.  He provides leadership for the High Reliability Consultation and High Reliability Academy workstreams who are responsible for supporting and developing HRO Implementers across facilities and VISNs.   
This episode will motivate those who are searching for tips on how to find success by discovering the key principles, strategies, and insights that leaders can employ to cultivate a culture of high reliability within their teams and organizations. 

Closed Caption Transcript is available at: https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/TATF_S4E5.pdf ===============================

Key Lessons:        

1. Everyone is responsible to engage in actions that will create an atmosphere and culture for the Five HRO Principles to take hold in the organization and on their teams.      
2. We can all engage in HRO behaviors that fit our needs and the needs of our teams. There are “no cookie cutter” ways to implement the principles.    
3. The HRO principles are a blend of the process and the person.  The improvement and growth in our organization can only go as far as we our own self-improvement and awareness.  

Please check out additional services here: VHA National Center for Organization Development - Home (sharepoint.com)

On this episode, Dr. Shari will be joined by Dr. Jacquelyn Paykel. Dr. Paykel holds the position of the Women’s Health Medical Director for the Tomah VA Medical Center. She also serves on the new VHA Physician Advocacy Council and is one of the developers of the THRIVE (Transforming Health and Resiliency through Integration of Values-based Experiences) whole health clinical program.

Listen in as Dr. Jacquelyn Paykel discusses how leaders can move beyond defining success through numbers and metrics, but instead lean into thriving by leading themselves first!

Closed Caption Transcript is available at: https://www.sharedfedtraining.org/Podcasts/TATF_S4E2.pdf ===============================

Key Lessons:

1. The first step to burnout can be untamed passion. Be sure to take note of how your passion fills you and depletes you.
2. Take time to slow down and reflect on where you may be in the S Shape of your career and life. Journal to see where your values are and how you are integrating them into your work life.
3. Meaningful relationships at work impact your satisfaction, engagement, and susceptibility to burnout.
4. Enough is a word that’s available in our vocabulary!

Please check out additional services here: VHA National Center for Organization Development - Home (sharepoint.com)