The Inspire Podcast

New episode on the Inspire Podcast! Bart Egnal speaks with Kate Lynch, Consultant at The Humphrey Group and a voice professional, actor, director, and playwright. They talk about how to unlock your voice, free your breath, and project your ideas with confidence and authenticity.

Kate specializes in strengthening her clients’ vocal and physical presence. Kate has taught voice at the Stratford Festival, the Shaw Festival, the University of Toronto Drama Program, George Brown College, and the National Theatre School.

Here are some moments from their conversation and *exercises you can try to free your voice:

Voice work. (3:51)

Allow underlying emotion. (6:00)

Vocal impediments. (7:20)

Where to begin with voice work. (10:06)

Voice apps. (12:31)

Alignment and posture. (13:58)

*Alignment and balance exercise. (16:30)

*Shoulder and neck tension. (21:07)

How much we reveal about ourselves through voice. (23:09)

*Jaw exercise. (24:17)

Three quick fixes to help with voice. (25:00)

*Pitch exercise. (29:13)

Find your authentic voice; unlock your vocal instrument. (31:22)

Listen now to hear more:

Check out one of many voice Apps:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.voiceoneapps.activateyourvoice

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Today on the Inspire Podcast, Bart Egnal speaks with John Ewing, Co-President & Chief Investment Officer at Ewing Morris & Co. Investment Partners Ltd, a boutique investment firm. They talk about what it takes to prepare for and successfully conduct interviews.

John co-founded Ewing Morris & Co. Investment Partners in June 2011. John is responsible for portfolio management and investment research and contributes to client relationships and operations.

Here are some moments from their conversation:

About Ewing Morris & Co. (2:25)

Conducting management interviews. (3:24)

Why interview. (4:50)

Get off the script to understand thought processes. (5:45)

Preparing to conduct interviews. (8:53)

Asking tough questions. (10:25)

Allow adjusting the order of questions. (15:22)

Force choices to learn more - Hanger company example. (16:10)

How to tell when candidates 'package' the truth. (19:00)

Allow silence after asking a question. (21:45)

Avoid compound questions. (24:16)

Listen now to hear more!

Learn more about Ewing Morris & Co.:

https://www.ewingmorris.com/

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In today's episode of the Inspire Podcast, Bart Egnal speaks with Dan Dumsha, Consultant at The Humphrey Group. They talk about improv as not just a theatrical technique, but a skill for every leader to practice to be inspirational.

Dan works closely with leaders at all levels, delivering coaching and group courses. He draws on his background as an improv specialist and acting performer to help clients deliver a strong presence, and make a positive change in their communication. Dan teaches improv at the Vancouver TheaterSports League.

Here are some moments from their conversation:

What is improv? (3:06)

Authenticity and engagement. (5:05)

Why leaders need improv. (7:39)

Presentations are conversations. (9:38)

Gauging your audience. (12:28)

Vancouver TheaterSports League courses. (14:35)

Acknowledging another's idea. (16:57)

Yes-and exercise. (18:30)

Co-creating. (23:54)

When conversations don't go as expected. (25:06)

What to avoid - Yes-but exercise. (25:47)

Organized thinking - Instant Expert exercise. (30:53)

Reacting to what you hear. (37:16)

Listen now to hear more!

Learn more about Dan Dumsha and the Vancouver TheaterSports League:

https://www.vtsl.com/people/dan-dumsha/

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Today on the Inspire Podcast, Bart Egnal speaks with Paul Carroll, Head of Operational and Process Improvements, Global Wholesale Operations at Scotiabank and Managing Partner at Pathfinder Leadership Associates. They talk about how vulnerability is key to inspiring as a leader and building trust and rapport with others.

Paul previously spent 25 years in the Canadian Armed Forces. He commanded squadrons and retired with the rank of Major. He brings this experience to his work at Pathfinder Leadership Associates, providing experiential training to the corporate world.

Here are some moments from their conversation:

Defining vulnerability. (4:04)

Building trust. (5:58)

Being vulnerable builds trust - military training story. (6:58)

Collective model of leadership - Blackwater Retreat story. (8:49)

Moving into role at bank. (12:36)

Openness to different perspectives. (14:40)

How to be relatable: test and adjust. (16:58)

Lead by example: show that vulnerability is good. (20:40)

Open up different channels of communication. (21:30)

Create comfortable spaces to express ideas. (23:41)

Recognize flaws and work collectively. (25:03)

Listen now to hear more!

Learn more about Pathfinder Leadership Associates:

http://www.pathfinderleadership.ca/

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In today's episode, Bart Egnal speaks with Amara Hunt, Director of Diversity & Inclusion Programs at The Humphrey Group. They talk about managing unconscious bias and the importance of initiating and continuing to have conversations about diversity and inclusion.

Amara specializes in corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy. She has extensive knowledge of CSR trends, best policies and practices, and strategies. Amara led the revitalization of The Humphrey Group's Taking The Stage program, designed to help women be seen and heard as leaders.

Here are some moments from their conversation:

Taking the Stage program. (6:04)

Discussion shift: Women's agency to organizations/"the system." (8:46) / (9:33)

The numbers. (11:23)

Create structures that support inclusion. (12:49)

Prepare for the conversation. (16:58)

Educate yourself and your senior leaders. (18:01)

Think about your own implicit bias. (21:15)

Have courage to change the status quo. (23:41)

Success comes from conversations and training. (25:35)

Inclusion benefits everyone. (27:47)

Listen now to hear more!

Take Harvard's implicit bias test:

https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/canada/takeatest.html

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We have a new release on the Inspire Podcast! Bart Egnal speaks with Jordan Ekers, Co-founder and Chief Customer Officer of Nudge Rewards, a software company that facilitates communication between senior leaders and frontline staff. They talk about the Nudge app and empowering associates in the retail and hospitality industry to deliver an exceptional customer experience.

Jordan is focused on designing behaviour change solutions for the enterprise and consumer market.

Here are some moments from their conversation:

What is Nudge Rewards? (2:59)

Inspiring frontline associates through the Nudge app. (4:21)

Retail/hospitality industry previously invested only in customer experience. (7:51)

Engaged associates = improved customer experience. (10:55)

Create culture where front line is engaged - Lululemon example (11:38).

Mission, vision, values. (12:40)

Creating the employee experience. (18:56)

Two-way communication; associates have a voice. (21:18)

Cold beverage case study. (22:16)

Value employee feedback. (24:15)

Companies must communicate with a purpose. (25:17)

Role of employees in brand success. (27:44)

Listen now to hear more!

Learn more about Nudge:

https://www.nudgerewards.com/product/

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In today's episode of the Inspire Podcast, Bart Egnal speaks with Michael Hyatt, one of Canada's top entrepreneurs who is known as a technology visionary. They talk about pitching ideas to investors, and what it takes to pitch in a successful, compelling way.

Michael is an investor on the podcast "The Pitch" and was a “Dragon” on CBC’s online Dragons’ Den. He co-founded BlueCat, which sold to Madison Dearborn Partners, and Dyadem, a highly successful software company acquired by IHS. Michael is an active investor and philanthropist who chairs the Hyatt Family Foundation.

Here are some moments from their conversation:

Put on an investor's hat. (4:43)

Discuss investor return of capital. (6:48)

An overview of a great pitch. (8:51)

Future cash flow potential - Facebook example. (10:01)

Defend your starting gross margin. (11:29)

Raising money is not success; minimum return of 3x. (14:55)

Agreeing to take investments means agreeing to sell. (16:50)

Rule of 50. (20:06)

Avoid comparing your company's worth - cat show example. (22:30)

Culture and integrity are key. (26:12)

Top 3 pieces of advice to 'pitchers.' (34:01)

Listen now to hear more!

Learn more about Michael Hyatt:

https://www.speakers.ca/speakers/michael-hyatt/

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In today's episode of the Inspire Podcast, Bart Egnal speaks with Antonis Christidis who is a Partner at Mercer. They talk about courage, vulnerability, trust, and being "present" as key qualities for leadership in the future of work and changing workplace culture.

Antonis is a Partner in Mercer's Career business. He co-leads the Mercer and Oliver Wyman partnership, actively helping organizations transform to anticipate and embrace technology and future workforce and workplace trends. Antonis is a leader of Mercer's Workforce for the Future program.

Here are some moments from their conversation:

What is the future of work. (3:13)

Mercer's approach to preparing organizations for the future. (4:53)

Successful leading: aligning words with actions. (7:11)

Innovation thrives in an environment where there is trust. (9:57)

What it means to be "present" as a leader. (11:59)

Having the courage to be vulnerable. (12:58)

Making a human connection; working together instead of projecting that you always know best. (16:22)

Qualities for a leader to create an effective work environment. (20:54)

Having courage, as a leader, to change your mindset and workplace culture. (22:29)

Listen now to hear more!

Learn about Mercer's Workforce for the Future:

https://www.mercer.com/our-thinking/career/workforce-for-the-future.html

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Bart Egnal speaks with Jay Rosenzweig, CEO of Rosenzweig & Company. They talk about networking and how to create genuine, authentic connections. Jay discusses approaching networking with curiosity and the desire to learn.

Jay is the founding partner of Rosenzweig & Company, an executive search firm focused on highly specialized and high profile senior leadership searches. He advises leading edge businesses, most of which are based out of California, New York, and Ontario. Jay champions gender equality, and is active on several Boards.

Here are some moments from their conversation:

Enjoy connecting without expecting a return - Dikembe Mutombo story. (5:16)

Mindset for networking. (7:35)

Forward thinking approach. (9:04)

Navigating opportunities to network. (13:19)

Mission to affect positive change and growth; making decisions. (16:37)

Say yes to what fits your overall strategy. (19:45)

Openness mindset and relationship building. (23:26)

Taking extra steps without prospect of gain - law school application example. (24:56)

Avoiding a transactional apporach. (29:19)

Networking within 'ecosystems.' (32:31)

Be creative, genuine, and curious. (34:51)

Listen now to hear more!

Learn more about Jay here: https://www.rosenzweigco.com/team-jay-rosenzweig

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In today's episode of The Inspire Podcast, Bart Egnal speaks to Anna Tudela who is the Vice-President of Diversity, Regulatory Affairs and Corporate Secretary at Goldcorp Inc. They discuss what is involved in developing equity in the work place.

Anna is the founder of the Creating Choices program at Goldcorp. Creating Choices is a training, development and mentoring program for women of all levels. It started in 2010 and was rolled out across Goldcorp's operations in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Chile, Argentina, Canada and the United States. Creating Choices aims to help women understand opportunities for growth within the company.

Here are some moments from their conversation:

Importance of mentors. (4:43)

Gender inequity in Peru. (5:21)

Why did women in mining need a unique program? (9:29)

Partnering with The Humphrey Group. (10:20)

The Creating Choices program. (12:02)

Reaction from general managers at Goldcorp. (15:09)

Success stories. (19:13)

3 Pieces of advice for mid-career women. (21:18)

Importance of networking. (22:48)

Call to action. (27:37)

Listen now to hear more.

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