In this episode of Connected Leadership Bytes, Andy Lopata revisits his interview with Michael Roderick, host of the "Access to Anyone" podcast, exploring the dynamics of recommendations and referrals. Michael, who transitioned from a high school teacher to a Broadway producer, shares his insights on how to build a personal brand that encourages people to recommend you. Andy and Michael note that people like to feel useful, not used. It's crucial to focus on the benefit you provide to clients rather than just describing what you do, framing it as solving a problem for them. This makes it easier for others to see how they can recommend you when the opportunity arises.

Michael also discusses the nuances of reciprocity, highlighting that individuals have different impulses and timelines for reciprocating. Some feel compelled to immediately reciprocate, while others take time to vet those they recommend. Michael uses his "fast to view, slow to recommend" approach from his Broadway days as an example of considered and thoughtful recommendations. They also explore the importance of trust and consistency, emphasising the need to do what you say you'll do promptly to build confidence in your credibility. Furthermore,

they address how word-of-mouth, qualified recommendations, and clear communication impact success.

To build a personal brand for referrals, Michael uses the acronym "AIM" - Accessibility, Influence and Memory. You need to have an accessible message, make people look good when they share it, and be memorable. Ultimately, it is better to be focused on the curiosity it creates than the access it gains, as this will mean people will be more likely to recommend you.

Key Takeaways:

Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube

Connect with Michael Roderick: Website |LinkedIn |

The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring

Episode 131 Featuring Michael Roderick

Welcome back to the Connected Leadership Podcast! We kick off 2025 with a returning guest, commercial mediator Jane Gunn, who joins Andy Lopata to discuss her new book, "The Mole and the Mountain." This parable explores the journey of overcoming obstacles and finding personal fulfillment, offering valuable insights for goal setting and personal growth in the New Year.

Jane explains the two key principles of mediation that underpin the book: self-determination and being fully informed. She introduces the "Map of Experience" that guides the mole's journey and represents the stages of mediation. The first stage, "Now," involves understanding the

narrative and identifying the challenges we face. This is about stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing curiosity.

Andy and Jane then discuss the importance of mentorship in pushing ourselves out of

our comfort zones and overcoming fear. Jane emphasises the role of a mentor who

provides challenge without taking control.

Next, they explore the fear of being wrong, a common obstacle in both mediation and personal life. Jane talks about shifting from a "win-lose" mindset to a "win-win" approach, emphasising the importance of understanding people's needs and interests rather than focusing on who is right or wrong.

The focus turns to the importance of clarity in creating a vision for the future, the need to dig deep and understand what truly drives us. Andy and Jane also discuss the concept of "no one is coming to save us," the importance of self-determination and taking responsibility for our own decisions. Jane argues that mediation is a "grown-up" way of resolving disputes, allowing

individuals to find creative solutions by taking control.

Staying on track despite obstacles and setbacks, they share their personal experiences of perseverance and the importance of vision and a clear "why" to motivate them during difficult times.

The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of celebrating successes and recognising that failure can often be a stepping stone to greater success.

What we discussed

·       How to deal with change that snatches us out of our comfort zone

·       How to overcome the fear that stops us following our dreams

·       How to create a clear vision of the future and belief that we can make it

·       How no one is coming to save us and we must dig deep when we are stuck

·       How to stay on track and never give up despite the obstacles and setbacks

·       How hardship and pain is part of the journey and path to triumph

·       How in the end it is up to us to decide and no one can take the journey for us

Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube

Connect with Jane Gunn: Website |LinkedIn |X/Twitter

The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring

The Mole and the Mountain

In this episode of Connected Leadership Bytes, Andy Lopata revisits his interview with Malcolm Palmer on making Making Your Business Less Dependent On You. Andy and Malcolm discuss the challenges of business ownership, stress management, and the importance of strong professional relationships. Andy shares his personal journey of learning to cope with stress, highlighting the need to recognise both conscious and unconscious stress signals.

Andy also emphasises the importance of vulnerable leadership, sharing experiences that led to him writing his book "Just Ask." He stresses the need for balance between work and personal life, incorporating hobbies and healthy activities into his schedule as part of his job. 

Complacency is a major enemy of productivity, and the key to overcoming it is to build habits and find strategic ways of working. Andy also mentions the importance of strategic thinking, taking time to work on big projects, and being mindful. Andy and Malcolm also explore the concept of "catastrophising"—anticipating" potential disasters to proactively avoid them—and the importance of letting go of negative relationships to improve focus and productivity. Andy concludes with insights into transitioning the business from being time-based to product-based and his plans for an app, The Relationship Matrix, which he is piloting.

Key Takeaways:

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube

Connect with Malcom Palmer: Website |LinkedIn |

The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring

In this episode, Andy Lopata revisits his guest interview with Melina Palmer on The Brainy Business Podcast, to explore the power of connected leadership. Andy, a master of networking, discusses his approach to building genuine, helpful relationships for both career advancement and business growth. He emphasises emphasizes that executive success depends on the network one builds, which goes beyond surface-level contacts.

Andy shares insights on fostering "connected leadership" by surrounding yourself with people who can both offer help, want to help and know how to help. He explains that these elements are tied to performance, image, and exposure, a concept that can supercharge one's career. He reveals that people are more likely to support you not just because they're told to or see a personal gain, but because they genuinely like and trust you, making it important to nurture relationships by connecting on a human level.

Andy further discusses how to move past fears of being seen as vulnerable when asking for help by reframing it as a request based on confidence and inner strength. He encourages listeners to make it easy for people to help them through clear, specific asks. Andy and Melina look The conversation delves into the importance of mentoring and letting supportive connections evolve naturally.Andy He stresses the need to balance giving and receiving while always prioritising prioritizing personal capacity. Finally, Andy introduces his "Curiosity Cycle," where curiosity, listening, authenticity and vulnerability interconnect to build meaningful relationships.

Key Takeaways:

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube

Connect with Melina Palmer: Website |LinkedIn |

The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring

The Curiosity Cycle: Developing Trust and Engagement

This episode of Connected Leadership Bytes features a revisit of Andy's conversation with Melva Lajoy Legrand, a leading event planner. Andy and Melva discuss the art of creating authentic connections, not just at large-scale events but also within teams and with individual relationships. Melva emphasises the importance of designing experiences that make people feel seen, valued, and heard. She shares practical strategies for event organisers, including using icebreakers that encourage storytelling, and creating spaces catering to diverse personality types (introverts and extroverts).

The conversation then extends beyond event planning, exploring how to foster authentic connections in the workplace and personal life. Melva reveals the significance of vulnerability and humility in building genuine relationships, both professionally and personally. They also touch upon the evolving landscape of events, with an emphasis on interactive experiences over traditional lecture formats, and pre-event engagement strategies for creating lasting connections with audiences. 

In this episode, Andy asks Melva to share a podcast episode in which she tells her personal journey. Melva recommends listening to her podcast interview with Elizabeth Smart Foundation. Melva asked to stress that, "This post contains sensitive information which is meant to heal not harm. Read with care. Consider with compassion. Protect your peace."

This episode of Connected Leadership Bytes offers a deep dive into the art of creating authentic connections, whether through events, leadership, or everyday interactions, and provides valuable insights for anyone looking to foster genuine relationships in their personal or professional life.

Key Takeaways:

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | Youtube

Connect with Melva Lajoy Legrand: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn 

In this episode of Connected Leadership Bytes, Lisa Fane, CEO of the Center for Mentoring Excellence, and her colleague Michelle Hancock interview Andy Lopata.

They discuss the importance of professional relationships, networking, and mentoring. Focusing on building authentic connections, understanding the difference between networking and professional relationships, and the concept of a personal board of advisors. Andy shares strategies for maintaining professional networks, the role of vulnerability in mentorship and the impact of remote work on mentoring and professional relationships. He emphasises the importance of consistency and frequency in building connections and offers insights into evolving mentoring practices in the modern workplace.

Key Takeaways

Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube

Connect with Lisa Fain: Website |LinkedIn |

Listen to the full episode here

The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring

In this month’s premiere episode of the Connected Leadership Podcast, Andy Lopata interviews David Avrin. David is one of the most in-demand Customer Experience speakers and consultants in the world today, He has shared his content-rich, entertaining and actionable presentations with enthusiastic audiences across North America and in 24 countries around the world. David helps organisations better understand and connect with their customers and clients to help future-proof their businesses. 

David's insights have been featured on thousands of media outlets around the world. He is also the author of seven books including the acclaimed: It's Not Who You Know, It's Who Knows You! Why Customers Leave (and How to Win Them Back), The Morning Huddle, and his newest book, Ridiculously Easy to Do Business With. 

Andy and David explore the crucial differences between customer service and customer experience, highlighting that while good service is essential, it's the overall experience that truly drives customer loyalty in today's competitive market. David argues that while many businesses boast high-quality products and services, the experience they provide is often far from ideal, leading to customer frustration.

Their conversation traces the changing landscape of customer interaction, particularly the role of social media and the increasing reliance on AI-powered chatbots. While social media once served as a powerful tool for holding companies accountable, its effectiveness appears to be waning, as organisations struggle to manage the sheer volume of feedback. 

They also highlight the significant generational differences in customer expectations and preferences regarding technology. While younger generations are tech-savvy and prefer self-service options, older generations often require more personalised assistance. This necessitates an "omni-channel" approach, offering a variety of ways for customers to engage based on their individual needs and preferences. The overuse of surveys is criticised, with David suggesting that less frequent, shorter, and simpler surveys are more effective. Building relatability and likability within a brand's identity is emphasised, and it's suggested that businesses shouldn't necessarily aim to please everyone, but to be the best choice for their target audience. 

Finally, Andy and David reflect on the importance of striking a balance between efficiency and personalisation, prioritising speed and respect for customers' time. They emphasise that while businesses strive for predictability and efficiency, they must not lose sight of the human element and the importance of making the customer experience not just competent, but preferable.

What we discussed:

1.     Customer Service vs. Customer Experience: Understand the critical distinction and why customer experience trumps service in today's market.

2.     The Evolving Role of Social Media: Social media's influence on customer feedback is shifting and how businesses can adapt.

3.     AI and Human Interaction: What is the optimal balance between AI-driven efficiency and essential human interaction.

4.     Generational Differences: How to cater to the diverse needs and technological preferences of different generations.

5.     The Power of Feedback (and the Perils of Overdoing It): How to effectively gather and use customer feedback without causing frustration

Listen to this episode to gain actionable insights into creating a superior customer experience, leveraging technology effectively, and navigating the complexities of a multi-generational market.

Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube

Connect with David Avrin: Website |LinkedIn |Facebook | YouTube

The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring

Ridiculously Easy to Do Business With.

In this episode of the Connected Leadership Bytes, we feature Andy Lopata’s guest interview on the Authority Podcast with Ross Romano. Andy is a specialist speaker on professional relationships and co-author with Dr Ruth Gotian, of the Financial Times Guide to Mentoring.

Mentoring in its various forms and benefits for both mentors and mentees is discussed. Andy explains that mentoring isn't just a hierarchical senior-junior relationship; it can be reverse mentoring (junior mentoring senior), peer-to-peer and formal/informal approaches. He emphasises the importance of having a "mentoring team," drawing support from various individuals.

Andy and Ross agree that the qualifications for being a mentor are experience and expertise rather than formal qualifications. Andy explains the distinctions between mentoring, coaching, role models, and sponsors.

The podcast also discusses what mentors should expect from mentees (commitment, accountability, openness to challenge) and vice versa. Andy also advocates for an abundance mentality in mentoring, both at an individual and organisational level, arguing that investment in mentorship yields significant returns in terms of staff retention, upskilling, and creating a positive work environment.

Key Takeaways:

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube

Connect with Ross Romano: Website |LinkedIn |X/Twitter

The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring

This week, Connected Leadership Bytes dives into a conversation with Paul McGee, author and speaker known for his book “SUMO (Shut Up, Move On) and his latest release “The Happiness Revolution”. Andy and Paul explore the complexities of happiness in a world filled with technological advancements and social media pressures.

Paul emphasises that happiness is not a destination but a byproduct of living life well, embracing challenges, and fostering meaningful connections. He highlights the importance of embracing a holistic approach to well-being, taking care of our physical, mental, and emotional health.

Social media, while offering connection, can also contribute to aims of social perfectionism and unrealistic comparisons, leading to unhappiness. Paul advocates for a mindful approach to social media, using it as a tool for connection and inspiration while recognising its potential pitfalls.

There is a tendency to postpone happiness until we achieve certain goals. Paul suggests finding happiness in the present moment and not solely relying on external factors.

The episode concludes by exploring the connection between happiness and professional relationships. Paul argues that happier individuals create a more positive work environment and foster stronger professional connections

Key takeaways from the episode

·       Happiness is a byproduct, not a destination: This resonates with the idea of finding joy in the journey, not just the destination, which is a key principle for successful and sustainable leadership.

·       Holistic well-being is crucial: Happiness is not solely about emotions. Take a holistic approach that encompasses physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

·       Social Media: A tool, not a master:. Use social media mindfully as a tool for connection and inspiration, but avoid letting it define your worth or happiness. This emphasises the need for leaders to be aware of how social media impacts their own well-being and the well-being of their team members.

·       Authenticity is key: Authenticity and vulnerability are essential for strong leadership. Sharing your struggles and challenges alongside your successes builds trust and connection with your team, creating a more human and supportive environment.

·       Embrace imperfection: Aim for excellence, but recognise that perfectionism is unrealistic and can be detrimental to your well-being. Embrace your flaws and failures as opportunities for growth. This encourages leaders to be more relatable, create a culture of learning, and foster a sense of psychological safety within their teams.

·       Happy people build strong connections: Happiness has a positive impact on professional relationships. Be kind, grateful, and focus on building genuine connections. This highlights the importance of emotional intelligence and creating a positive work environment for successful leadership.

Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube

Connect with Paul Mcgee: Website |LinkedIn |X/Twitter

The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring

Get ready to raise a glass... of sparkling water! In this episode of Connected Leadership Bytes, Andy Lopata revisits his episode with Janey Lee Grace, a familiar voice from BBC Radio 2 and a passionate advocate for alcohol-free living.

Janey shares her personal journey from pop star to radio presenter, revealing how she navigated a world obsessed with alcohol and ultimately decided to embrace a sober lifestyle. She discusses how alcohol is deeply ingrained in our culture, and the challenges of politely declining a drink without feeling like you're missing out.

Janey and Andy discuss the crucial role of connection in overcoming addiction, highlighting the power of community and finding a sense of belonging. She talks about the Sober Club, a space she created to support individuals on their alcohol-free journeys, and emphasises the importance of having people you can connect with and rely on as you navigate a sober life.

Andy and Janey conclude with a call to action, urging listeners and leaders to challenge the assumption that alcohol is essential for building relationships. They offer insights on how to create more inclusive environments where everyone feels comfortable, regardless of their choices around alcohol.

Janey's new book, "From WHAM! to WOO: A Life on the Mic," is a must-read for anyone who loves music, radio, and behind-the-scenes stories. She takes us back to her early days in the music industry, from singing backup for Mari Wilson and the Wilsations to touring the world with WHAM!

·       It's time to challenge the "alcohol is essential" myth. There are plenty of ways to build strong relationships without relying on a drink.

·     You're not alone. There are countless people who have embraced a sober lifestyle and have discovered incredible benefits.

·       Don't be afraid to say "no" to alcohol. It's your right to choose what you put in your body.

·       Connection is key. Find a supportive community, online or offline, to help you stay motivated and on track.

·       Leaders, it's your job to create inclusive work cultures. Make sure everyone feels welcome, regardless of their choices around alcohol.

Connect with Andy

Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube

Connect with Janey Lee

Grace: Website |LinkedIn |X/Twitter

Listen to the full episode of this podcast

The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring

From WHAM! to WOO: A Life on the Mic by Janey Lee Grace