The Leadership Habit

In the latest episode of The Leadership Habit Podcast, host Jenn DeWall sits down with Tonya Kay, Chief Empowerment Officer of Outspoken, to discuss how to stop overthinking, let go of perfectionism and unlock your greatness! If you have ever been stuck in your career journey or struggled with overthinking or trying to live up to impossible standards, you don’t want to miss this episode!

Tanya is a transformative life coach and keynote speaker. She helps high-achieving women break free from overthinking, perfectionism and self-doubt to lead boldly and live authentically. Tanya’s approach blends real talk, practical strategies, and a touch of fun! She empowers clients to conquer limiting beliefs and embrace their full potential. Known for her fearless and unapologetic style — whether on stage or paddle boarding down the Boise River — Tanya inspires others to lead from where they are and build the life that they were meant to live. 

As the episode opens, Jenn asks Tanya what she means when she talks about tapping into your personal greatness. Tonya explains, “We all have a different definition of what that could possibly be, right? And I think that’s the first place to start. Define what greatness is for you. Or maybe you’re not using the word greatness. Maybe you’re using success. Maybe the word is fulfillment. What does that mean for me? And you said something earlier about tapping into those core values, those values that we have. A lot of times we’re just existing in our day-to-day. We may have a few goals that we’re reaching for, but what happens when we feel like we’re not in our greatness is that we don’t feel grounded, aligned or balanced in our space. And the way we can start to do that is first of all, defining what greatness is. And for me, it’s about aligning those core values.”

One of the key takeaways from the episode is the importance of understanding and aligning with your core values. Tonya shares her own journey of rediscovering her values after becoming an empty nester and realizing how much of her identity was tied to being a mom. For her, values like love, connection, and gratitude became her guideposts. “When we step into alignment with our core values, then I feel like I’m more of who I was meant to be,” says Tonya.

Many leaders fall into the trap of defining themselves by titles or achievements, which can lead to burnout or dissatisfaction. Instead, Tonya encourages listeners to ask themselves what success means personally. Is it fulfillment? Is it living in alignment with your values? Answering these questions can bring clarity and help leaders step to their full potential.

Tonya also connects the idea of greatness with leadership, noting that leadership is not just about managing teams or projects — it’s about leading yourself. “How you lead yourself every day is crucial,” she explains. By showing up authentically, embracing your quirks, and living by your values, you inspire others to do the same.

This message resonates deeply with Crestcom’s philosophy. Leadership development is about more than learning technical skills; it’s about empowering leaders to be their best, authentic selves. When you lead with purpose and authenticity, you create a ripple effect, positively influencing the people around you.

Later in the episode, Tonya shares a powerful tool to help individuals stay grounded and balanced. She uses the acronym BIKE:

As leaders, we need to be self-aware, compassionate, and fully engaged to develop the kind of workplace culture that allows everyone to thrive.

One of the challenges many people face when tapping into their greatness is the fear of judgment. Tonya speaks candidly about the pressure to be perfect and the constant comparison we face, particularly in the age of social media. “If we follow what Mel Robbins says, nobody’s coming to save you. Nobody’s going to live your best life for you. You have to do it yourself,” Tonya notes.

The key to overcoming this fear, she explains, is to stop comparing yourself to others and focus on leading yourself with confidence. 

Listen to the full episode to gain more insights about unlocking your greatness! If you want to find out more about Tonya Kay or explore the free resources she mentioned in the podcast, you can: 

At Crestcom, we believe that tapping into your greatness isn’t just about personal fulfillment; it’s about becoming the best leader you can be. Our leadership development programs help you align your leadership style with your core values, make better decisions, and inspire your team to achieve more.

Whether you’re looking to strengthen your leadership skills or help your team unlock its potential, Crestcom offers resources like our complimentary Leadership Skills Workshop. In just two hours, you’ll gain actionable insights into improving decision-making, building trust, and increasing accountability within your team.

The post Stop Overthinking and Unlock Your Greatness with Tonya Kay appeared first on Crestcom International.

In this episode of The Leadership Habit podcast, our host, Jenn DeWall, sits down with leadership expert Graham Wilson to discuss how to lead without having all the answers. In this insightful episode, he shares how leaders can thrive by embracing uncertainty, building confidence, and empowering their teams. The conversation dives deep into what it means to lead in today’s fast-paced world and how to do it even if you don’t have all the answers!

Graham Wilson is a leadership expert, coach, speaker and author of Leadership Laid Bare. In addition to that, he is the founder of Successfactory™ and creator of ChangePro. Graham is a leading performance facilitator and inspirational developer of leaders. His clients have described him as an “igniter of human potential,” “a true leadership wizard,” and “an inspirational storyteller.” 

Graham Wilson explains how leadership has drastically evolved over the years. “The workforce, when I entered it, was overmanaged and underled,” he says. In the past, leadership was often about control, stability, and always having all the answers. However, in today’s rapidly changing environment, that mindset is outdated.

“The pace of change is faster than our ability to keep up,” Wilson notes. Modern leaders must be flexible, curious, and collaborative. They need to adapt their leadership style depending on the situation. “What works in one environment might not work in another,” Wilson emphasizes. Leading with confidence today means understanding that answers may not always be clear, but the right questions can pave the way.

One of the main challenges leaders face today is the pressure to know everything. However, according to Graham Wilson, this expectation no longer makes sense. “In the old world, you could probably get away with knowing all the answers because the environment was stable. But today, that’s not possible.”

Instead of focusing on always having the right answer, leaders should focus on asking the right questions. “Why rely on one brain when you can tap into 30?” Wilson asks. This approach encourages collaboration and helps reduce stress. When leaders invite their teams to brainstorm solutions, they unlock the creative power of many minds rather than just their own.

Wilson introduces the concept of eternal confidence, a crucial trait for any leader. He explains that in uncertain situations, confidence allows leaders to trust themselves and their teams. Drawing from his military background, Wilson stresses the importance of building confidence within teams. “You have to build soldiers who are confident in any situation,” he says. The same principle applies to leaders. When leaders create an environment of trust and confidence, they empower their teams to perform even without all the answers.

Jenn DeWall adds, “If we can lead without having all the answers, there’s a gift in the form of mental health and connection.” By letting go of the pressure to know everything, leaders can avoid burnout and create more meaningful connections with their teams.

Many leaders fall into the trap of “analysis paralysis”—waiting too long for the perfect solution before making decisions. Graham Wilson points out how this can be harmful. “If you’re waiting to get everything right, you’re missing opportunities to lead, make decisions, and drive results,” he explains.

Wilson encourages leaders to focus on progress rather than perfection. Sometimes, moving forward with the information you have is the best course of action. Leading with confidence means trusting that you’ll learn as you go and adapt when necessary.

A significant takeaway from Wilson’s discussion is the power of collaboration. “Leaders must learn to facilitate rather than dictate,” he says. By fostering a culture where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, leaders can tap into the collective intelligence of their workforce.

Great leaders ask great questions, so Wilson suggests a simple but effective shift: turn meeting agendas into a series of questions. “Questions are the answers,” he insists. This small change can transform meetings into problem-solving sessions where teams think critically and collaboratively. Asking the right questions can lead to innovative solutions, even when the leader doesn’t have all the answers.

In closing, Wilson shares valuable advice for leaders facing the constant pressure of modern business: “Speed up by slowing down.” He encourages leaders to take time to reflect, build self-awareness, and clarify their purpose. Rushing through decisions without reflection leads to missed opportunities. By slowing down, leaders create space for thoughtful decision-making, which leads to better and more sustainable results.

Graham Wilson believes that a high-performance culture requires a balance between action and reflection. Taking time to assess what’s working and what’s not is crucial for long-term success. Slowing down allows leaders to focus on the big picture and ensure their decisions align with their purpose and team goals.

If you’re a leader who feels the pressure to know everything, it’s time to shift your mindset. Leading with confidence doesn’t mean always having all the answers. It means empowering your team, asking the right questions, and trusting the process. By embracing uncertainty and focusing on collaboration, you’ll unlock the full potential of your team and yourself. For more leadership insights and practical tools, listen to the full episode of The Leadership Habit podcast with Graham Wilson! 

At Crestcom, we believe that confident leadership begins with self-awareness and the ability to embrace uncertainty. As Graham Wilson highlights in this episode, leaders who can lead without having all the answers are better positioned to empower their teams and drive results. Crestcom’s leadership development programs are designed to help leaders build confidence, ask the right questions, and foster a culture of collaboration.

Are you ready to lead with confidence and unlock the full potential of your team? Request a free Leadership Skills Workshop, where you’ll gain practical tools and insights to enhance your leadership abilities.

The post How to Lead Without Having All the Answers with Graham Wilson appeared first on Crestcom International.

In the latest episode of The Leadership Habit Podcast, host Jenn DeWall engages in a thought-provoking conversation with executive coach Angus Nelson on overcoming personal resistance and how it impacts personal and professional growth. 

In this episode, Nelson dives deep into the concept of resistance—what it is, how it shows up in our lives, and most importantly, how we can overcome it. As leaders, understanding and managing resistance is crucial to success. By building self-awareness in leadership, we can identify the subconscious patterns that hold us back and develop strategies to push through those barriers.

Angus Nelson is an executive coach who transforms entrepreneurs into their best selves and achieves success, balance, and fulfillment.  Nelson is the author of the upcoming book Confidence Comes Later: How the Quest for Certainty Holds Us Back. He hosts the Evolve Leadership podcast and founded the Wealthy Entrepreneur Circle mastermind. With business psychology and emotional intelligence expertise, Angus impacts high-achievers in startups, Fortune 500 companies, and celebrity circles. He’s spoken at Walmart, Coca-Cola, BMW, & Adobe. Based in Lisbon, Portugal, he’s the go-to strategist for those seeking excellence in all aspects of a wealthy life.

At the beginning of the episode, Jenn DeWall introduces the central topic: “You likely have noticed yourself maybe that big goal that you have in your head, and then, of course, that big obstacle that’s preventing you from being that person that you know that you can be.” This idea of resistance is something everyone grapples with—whether it’s fear of failure, self-doubt, or simply getting stuck in old habits.

Nelson defines resistance as “the thing you feel, that internal tension that arises when you are pushing towards a new growth opportunity.” It’s the discomfort that prevents us from moving forward despite knowing what we want to achieve. This resistance can manifest in various forms, such as procrastination, imposter syndrome, or anxiety, and can impact every area of our lives—from our careers to personal relationships.

But as Nelson emphasizes, overcoming personal resistance is not just about recognizing it—it’s about developing self-awareness to understand where it comes from and how to push through it.

Nelson believes that self-awareness in leadership is the key to unlocking potential. Leaders who can recognize their own resistance are better equipped to manage it. According to Nelson, “Self-awareness is the gateway drug to personal development.” Without self-awareness, leaders are likely to fall into subconscious patterns that hold them back from reaching their full potential.

One of the examples Nelson shares involves working with a client who struggled with fear of public speaking. After some exploration, they discovered that the fear stemmed from a childhood incident. “The more you pay attention to these elements, the more you can actually start to see revealed that the inner workings of your life are creating ceilings holding you back,” Nelson explains.

This anecdote highlights how deeply ingrained resistance can be and how critical self-awareness is to overcoming it. By uncovering the stories we tell ourselves, we can begin to rewrite them. Nelson emphasizes that overcoming personal resistance often starts with a deep understanding of where these feelings come from: “Once we give our clients this kind of clarity, it makes it so much simpler to build new stories. Those new stories create new behaviors. Those new behaviors create better results.”

One of the most powerful insights Nelson offers is that overcoming personal resistance requires taking action, even when fear is present. “Success doesn’t make you more confident,” Nelson says. “In fact, success often makes you less confident because you start having these questions: Did I just get lucky? Can I pull off the next one?”

For high achievers, this fear can become paralyzing. Nelson’s advice is to face it head-on by taking small, consistent actions. “When you step out to do something new, and you feel that resistance, take action anyway,” he advises. “Do something that changes your state—whether it’s going for a walk, spending time with your kids, or doing something fun. The key is to move forward despite the resistance.”

Nelson also speaks to the importance of reassessing the standards we hold for ourselves. Often, resistance is fueled by the unrealistic pressures we put on ourselves to succeed. “Sometimes, the things we’re experiencing are because we’re tolerating too much BS in our lives,” Nelson points out. By raising our standards and setting healthier boundaries, we can reduce the impact of resistance and create space for growth.

As the episode closes, Nelson gives the audience his Resilience Triangle model, a framework designed to help leaders develop the resilience needed to push through personal resistance. The three components of the model are:

At Crestcom, we believe that leadership development starts with self-awareness. As Angus Nelson highlights in this episode, leaders who can understand and manage their personal resistance are better equipped to inspire their teams and achieve their goals. Crestcom’s leadership development programs are designed to help leaders build resilience, develop self-awareness, and overcome the barriers that hold them back.

Are you ready to overcome your own personal resistance and become a more effective leader? Join us for a free Leadership Skills Workshop, where you’ll gain practical tools and insights to strengthen your leadership. 

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In the latest episode of The Leadership Habit Podcast, host Jenn DeWall sat down with Cheryl Fields Tyler, founder and CEO of Blue Beyond Consulting, to discuss three critical realities leaders and people managers today cannot afford to overlook. As organizations face rapid change and shifting workforce demographics, understanding these realities is crucial for success. 

Cheryl Fields Tyler is the founder and CEO of Blue Beyond Consulting. Cheryl’s focus for over 30 years has been building organizations where both the business and the people thrive.  Her distinct, innovative, and practical perspective has been featured in various media outlets, including the BBC, CNBC, Fast Company, and Forbes.  In 2020, she received the  For All Leader award from the Great Place to Work® Institute. Under her leadership, Blue Beyond has been repeatedly recognized as one of the Best Small & Medium Workplaces by FORTUNE and as an Inc. 5000 company.

In the episode, Cheryl Fields Tyler explains that the demographics of the workforce have shifted dramatically. With the Baby Boomer generation retiring and Millennials and Gen Z stepping into leadership roles, organizations must acknowledge the unique pressures facing younger generations. “If we don’t understand the demographic realities of those generations, we will not be able to effectively mentor and develop the next generation of leaders,” says Cheryl.

She points out that the cost of education, housing, and the burden of student debt weigh heavily on younger employees. These economic factors are not a sign of entitlement but a reality that leaders and people managers must consider. Providing support, flexibility, and understanding these pressures can help bridge the generational gap.

Mentorship across generations is critical. “Your older leaders can learn from your younger leaders, and your younger leaders can learn from your older leaders,” Cheryl advises. Reciprocal learning will ensure that organizations continue to thrive through generational transitions.

Leaders today must help their teams focus on what matters most. “Leadership’s number one job is amplifying the signal and reducing the noise,” Cheryl emphasizes. Clear and focused communication is essential for success in a world full of distractions, from social media to constant emails.

Unfortunately, most organizations fall short when it comes to communication. According to Cheryl, “Only 26% of knowledge workers think their organizations are doing a really good job” at communicating effectively. To change this, leaders must prioritize communication that is human, compelling, and visual. Employees need to understand not only the ‘what’ but also the ‘why’ behind organizational goals and priorities.

Help your employees stay focused by clearly communicating what’s important. Cheryl suggests, “You have to have rich, compelling, human visuals as well as words” to cut through the noise and keep teams aligned.

Cheryl highlights a timeless truth: “People leave managers, not organizations.” The role of the people manager is crucial in unlocking the potential of teams and individuals. Unfortunately, good people management is often undervalued and under-supported within organizations. Cheryl advocates for more significant investment in people management training and building a community of leaders who can learn from each other.

Organizations can ensure that their teams are engaged and thriving by supporting people managers with training in areas like psychological safety, feedback, and motivation. Cheryl says, “The future is in the hands of our people managers. If we can unlock them, we can unlock our organizations.”

People managers need the right tools, training, and peer support to lead effectively. Invest in developing this vital role to ensure long-term organizational success.

Cheryl leaves us with an important message: “The future is human.” As technology and automation continue to advance, it’s more important than ever for leaders to focus on the human side of business. Understanding the realities of today’s workforce, prioritizing communication, and empowering people managers will set organizations up for long-term success.

Want to learn more about how leadership development can give you the skills to meet the challenges of today’s workplace? Request a complimentary leadership skills workshop at crestcom.com/freeworkshop, where we help leaders unlock their full potential.

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In the latest episode of The Leadership Habit Podcast, Jenn DeWall speaks with Patti B. Johnson about a challenge every leader must face—leading through change. Change, both personal and professional, is unavoidable. How leaders navigate it can determine their success. Patti, the former CEO of People Results and author of Make Waves: Be the One to Start Change at Work and in Life, shares insights on how leaders can start initiating change and make a meaningful impact by making waves in their organizations.

“Change is hard,” Jenn DeWall remarks during the episode. “It’s something we have to learn to stand with in solidarity to be great leaders.” Often, leadership is mistakenly seen as always having the right answers, but Patti challenges that assumption. She explains that leaders frequently try to create a perfect plan or appear to have all the answers, which can actually prevent effective leadership during times of change. Instead, leaders need to be adaptable and open to learning as the pace of change accelerates. Patti highlights that “the world we live in is constantly evolving, and we need to adapt to keep up.”

Patti introduces the concept of making waves in leadership, which refers to initiating change and pushing through uncertainty. “When you’re making waves, you’re driving change in your organization,” she explains. Whether it’s a personal project or a major business initiative, the ability to take action in the face of ambiguity defines successful leaders.

A major takeaway from the episode is the belief that “I’ll figure it out.” According to Patti, this mindset allows leaders to be flexible and resilient during times of change. It’s not about knowing everything from the start but rather about being willing to learn and initiate change confidently.

To help leaders navigate change effectively, Patti outlines her Think, Know, Do framework—a model that gives leaders a structured approach to leading through change:

One of the most critical elements of leading through change is clear, consistent communication. “If you set the expectation that everything will go smoothly, you’re setting yourself up for failure,” warns Patti. Instead, leaders should be transparent and realistic, acknowledging that there will be challenges along the way. Honest communication not only builds trust but also helps teams stay aligned with the overall vision.

Patti also emphasizes the importance of involving others in the process of initiating change. Creating an “idea circle” with diverse perspectives can help leaders gather valuable feedback and expertise. As Patti explains, “Most change is not a solo sport. You need others to help you figure it out.” Having a supportive network during times of change can prevent isolation and increase the likelihood of success.

The episode concludes with an empowering message: anyone can begin making waves in leadership. Whether you’re a senior executive or a team leader, you have the power to start meaningful change. “Take the first baby step,” Patti advises. “Don’t wait for someone else to initiate it—start making waves yourself.”

If you enjoyed this episode, you can connect with Patti by: 

At Crestcom, we understand that effective leadership development is essential to helping leaders embrace change. Our programs equip leaders with the tools to adapt, communicate effectively, and drive change within their organizations. If you’re ready to take the first step toward leading through change, request a free leadership workshop and learn how to develop the skills you need to make waves in your leadership journey.

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In a recent episode of The Leadership Habit podcast, Jenn DeWall sat down with communication expert Davina Stanley to discuss how leaders can elevate their communication skills. 

For 25+ years, Davina has advised thousands of executives from some of the world’s largest companies, including Meta, KPMG, and Mercer. She has helped clients from nearly all industries for clients in Australia, Asia-Pacific, the US, and the UK to communicate complex ideas extremely clearly and quickly, ideally within 30 seconds.

She is the Founder of Clarity First Program, which helps C-suite executives and their teams to better engage senior leaders and Boards in complex ideas.

Davina began her career at McKinsey & Company, working in the Hong Kong and Melbourne offices as well as Firm Learning, where she helped executives use the Minto Pyramid Principle(R) to communicate better. She was ranked as one of the top performers of her era.

Barbara Minto approved her to teach the Pyramid Principle in 2009, and she is also the author of The So What Strategy and has recently released two new books: Elevate and Engage.

Elevate will be released during September and helps leaders lift the quality of thinking in their team’s board papers without needing to rewrite them.

Engage will be released soon after that and helps executives write papers that their leaders don’t need to rework.

Effective communication is an essential leadership skill. Jenn DeWall opened the conversation by emphasizing how many conflicts, confusions, and even burnout can be traced back to poor communication. As she rightly pointed out, “We need to stop making things harder because we’re not communicating better.” This set the stage for Davina Stanley to share her expertise on how to simplify complex ideas and ensure that the right messages are conveyed.

One of the interesting points Davina shared was the impact of cultural differences on communication styles. Having lived in various parts of the world, including Australia, Hong Kong, and the United States, Davina noted that while it might seem like communication would be similar across Western cultures, subtle differences can create significant challenges. For example, the directness often expected in American communication can be perceived as brashness by those from other cultures.

Davina introduced the concept of the “chain of pain,” a cycle where unclear or poorly structured communication leads to a cascade of issues. Leaders often fall into the trap of providing input too late in the communication process, creating a situation where teams spend more time rewriting and clarifying rather than moving projects forward. This vicious cycle not only wastes time but also leads to frustration and burnout among team members.

Davina stressed the importance of thinking deeply about the outcomes you want from any communication. “Leaders want their people to write better, but they’ll often wait to provide input into a communication until after it’s drafted because it’s easier. And actually, what they’re doing is creating a really vicious cycle,” she explained.

To break this cycle, Davina outlined a five-step process to help leaders and teams improve their written communication:

One of the standout points Davina made was the importance of simplifying complex ideas. She mentioned that business communication should be at a grade six or seven reading level, ensuring that it is accessible and easy to understand. Tools like Hemingway can help writers refine their language to meet this standard. “If you can’t say it in a sentence, you don’t know it,” Davina noted, highlighting the value of clarity and brevity.

As the conversation wrapped up, Jenn DeWall reminded listeners of Crestcom’s commitment to leadership development. Crestcom offers a robust curriculum covering 24 topics essential for effective leadership, from communication to building trust. Jenn also extended an invitation to experience Crestcom’s Complimentary Leadership Skills Workshop—a fun, interactive team-building activity designed to enhance communication and collaboration within teams.

For leaders and teams looking to take their communication to the next level, Davina Stanley’s insights provide a practical roadmap. By following her five-step process and focusing on clarity, leaders can break the cycle of poor communication and drive better results.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to elevate your communication or want to explore Crestcom’s leadership development programs, visit crestcom.com/freeworkshop to request a complimentary workshop and discover more resources to help you and your team thrive.

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In the latest episode of The Leadership Habit Podcast, host Jenn DeWall sat down with Andrew Cooper, an influential executive leader and author of the newly released book, The Ethical Imperative. The episode delves deep into what it means to “lead with conscience” in the modern workplace, offering valuable insights for leaders striving to create positive outcomes for their teams, organizations, and communities.

Andy received his doctorate from Emory University and later joined the legal leadership teams of multiple Fortune 500 companies. He rose in responsibility to General Counsel of UPS Airlines and served on an executive staff responsible for overseeing billions in assets and over twenty thousand employees. Cooper would become the youngest and first African American to assume the role at America’s largest cargo airline.

Andrew is a globally recognized executive leader and advocate for compassionate business practices. He is the head of patent acquisitions at Meta Platforms, Inc. He made history as the first millennial and black executive to serve as general counsel of UPS Airlines, the world’s largest logistics airline operating in 220 countries. With over 20,000 employees, Cooper’s team played a pivotal role in the success of Operation Warp Speed, the US Pandemic vaccine relief effort.

Andrew is committed to facilitating leadership transformation and assisting organizations in achieving and sustaining high performance. Andrew’s debut book, The Ethical Imperative: Leading with Conscience to Shape the Future of Business makes a compelling case for companies to champion the collective prosperity of employees, shareholders and communities. 

Leading with conscience is more than just a buzzword—it’s a critical approach to leadership in a time of significant social and organizational stress. Andrew Cooper, a globally recognized advocate for compassionate business practices and head of patent acquisitions at Meta Platforms Inc. underscores the need for leaders to prioritize ethical decision-making.

Cooper’s journey to writing The Ethical Imperative began during his time as general counsel at UPS Airlines. He witnessed firsthand the immense pressures that leaders faced during the pandemic. He started journaling about these experiences, which eventually led to the development of his book. As Cooper explains, “The genesis of the book really came when members on my team began losing family members… I began journaling about how we were dealing with stress, people on my team, and how I was dealing with it. And that evolved into research on how leaders historically help their teams retain high performance during crises.”

Later in the episode, Cooper lays out the four moral imperatives that are essential for leading with conscience:

At Crestcom, we understand that leading with conscience is more than just an ideal—it’s a necessity for sustainable business success. Our leadership development programs are designed to equip leaders with the tools they need to inspire, connect, and empower their teams. As Jenn DeWall concludes in the podcast, “We know that we’ve got to make better decisions to protect our people, to navigate the disruption that is continuously around us.”

If you’re looking to enhance your leadership skills, consider requesting Crestcom’s complimentary leadership skills workshop for your organization. In just two hours, you’ll gain actionable tactics to improve decision-making, build trust, and increase accountability within your organization.

As we navigate through an era of unprecedented change, leading with conscience is no longer optional—it’s imperative. Andrew C.M. Cooper’s insights remind us that ethical leadership is about more than just making the right decisions; it’s about creating an environment where people can thrive, communities can prosper, and businesses can achieve lasting success.

Thank you for listening to The Leadership Habit Podcast! For more information on how Crestcom can support your leadership development, visit Crestcom.com/freeworkshop and request your free workshop today.

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In this episode of the Leadership Habit Podcast, host Jenn DeWall sat down with Tricia Brouk to explore how to communicate for impact. Tricia Brouk, a seasoned director, producer, and mentor, helps high-performing professionals become industry thought leaders through authentic storytelling. 

Tricia founded the Big Talk Academy to certify public speakers. She was also the executive producer of Speakers Who Dare and TEDxLincolnSquare and hosts The Big Talk Podcast and YouTube channel. Her book, The Influential Voice, was a number-one new release on Amazon, and Tricia also founded The Big Talk Press, her new publishing house. If you have an idea, want to connect with your audience, influence others, or be a better speaker, this episode is for you!

Jenn DeWall kicked off the episode by emphasizing the broad application of impactful communication. Whether at the grocery store, the dinner table, or in front of stakeholders at work, believing in your message is the starting point. “How you communicate is going to determine whether it lands or it doesn’t,” Jenn highlighted.

Tricia shared her inspiring journey from a small town in Missouri to becoming a professional dancer in New York City and eventually transitioning into directing, writing, and producing. Her background in performing arts influenced her unique approach to communication, which she now applies to help thought leaders communicate their messages effectively.

When asked what it means to be an influential voice, Tricia explained, “You have an opportunity to be an influential voice from across the table with your family, at the boardroom table with your team, and on a stadium stage.” She shared a poignant story about Pamela, a checkout woman during the stressful times of March 2020 in New York City, who made her feel seen and loved with a simple act of kindness. This, Tricia said, is the essence of being an influential voice.

Tricia provided five simple strategies for effective communication:

Stories are powerful tools for connection and emotion. Tricia illustrated this with an example of a leader turning a stressful morning commute into a positive reflection on team appreciation. “If you are leaning over the table and you are aggressively leaning over the table, they will feel that energy from you,” Tricia explained, highlighting the importance of intentionality in physical presence.

Tricia concluded with an empowering message: “Give yourself permission to trust that you have an influential voice. What you have to say matters.” Tricia offers a powerful visualization tool for those seeking to enhance their communication skills to help them see themselves as influential voices.

If you’re looking to improve your leadership skills, Crestcom offers a complimentary Leadership Skills Workshop. Gain actionable tactics to improve decision-making, build trust, and increase accountability. Visit crestcom.com/freeworkshop to secure your spot and start building genuine connections within your team today.

Please share this podcast episode with anyone who could benefit from learning how to communicate for impact, and don’t forget to leave us a review on your favorite podcast streaming service!

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In the latest episode of The Leadership Habit Podcast, Jenn DeWall sat down with Jason Anthoine to find out how leaders can help make work matter more. With over 35 years of experience working alongside CEOs, CHROs, and the C-Suite, Jason has dedicated his career to enhancing internal communication within organizations. His authentic approach, deeply rooted in his upbringing in a blue-collar household in Fort Valley, Georgia, aims to make work and the people who do it genuinely matter.

Jason Anthoine is not just an expert in internal communications; he is someone whose passion for the field began in childhood. Growing up with a father who was a foreman at a school bus factory and a mother who worked as a secretary at a bank, Jason was fascinated by the stories his parents brought home from work. 

This early interest led him to study public relations and eventually to a career where he has helped companies like GE, Siemens, and Newell Brands inform, involve, and inspire their employees. As Jason puts it, “If you’re going to spend 8, 10, 12 hours a day at work, it really ought to matter. Right? And you ought to enjoy it. So what can I do to help make that happen?”

The concept of “making work matter” is more relevant today than ever. As Jason points out, “quiet quitting” and general dissatisfaction at work clearly indicate that employees need more engagement. The 2024 Gallup State of the Workforce survey estimates that 62% of the workforce is disengaged. They also estimate that low employee engagement costs the global economy $8.9 Trillion annually!

Employees who have a sense of purpose or meaning at work are more likely to be engaged. Higher engagement leads to lower turnover, higher productivity and better business results. So, how can leaders help make work matter more? 

Effective communication plays a pivotal role in this process. Jason emphasizes that leaders need to focus on both “big C” and “little c” communications. While “big C” communications come from the corporate level, “little c” communications happen daily at all levels of the organization and are often overlooked. “The big C stuff might be 10% of communications, but the little C stuff is 90%. And that’s where leaders need to focus more of their time,” Jason explains. In the episode, Jason and Jenn break down a few things leaders can do to improve communication at work: 

Employees want their leaders to be authentic. Jason advises leaders to be themselves, even if it means occasionally making mistakes in communication. “Your employees want you to communicate, and they’re less concerned about how polished that might be,” says Jason.

Jason is surprised by the number of organizations where leaders need to communicate regularly with their teams, especially in a hybrid work environment. He suggests simple, regular updates to keep everyone aligned and engaged, even if it’s just five minutes at the start or end of a shift.

Drawing an analogy from sports, Jason discusses the importance of having a “scoreboard” at work. Employees need to know how they are doing and how their work contributes to the organization’s goals. Regular feedback and updates are essential for maintaining motivation and direction. “It’s important to look forward, not just in the rearview mirror. What are we going to do this quarter?” Jason advises.

Jenn points out that in her work as a coach and training facilitator, she is often shocked that employees don’t know about organizational goals or why they are working on a specific project. She reminds the audience that communicating the why is crucial to making work matter. 

As Jason Anthoine shares, making work matter is not just about grand gestures or corporate announcements. It’s about the daily interactions and communications that build a culture of trust, engagement, and purpose. By focusing on being authentic, investing time in regular communication, and ensuring that both “big C” and “little c” communications are given their due attention, leaders can create a work environment where employees feel valued and motivated.

For more insights and practical advice on enhancing your leadership and communication skills, be sure to listen to the full episode of The Leadership Habit Podcast. If you’re looking to dive deeper into leadership development, explore our range of resources and workshops at Crestcom. 

As Jason puts it, “Just have a little bit of humility and a little bit of empathy and understand that everybody really truly wants to do the right thing. And not everybody even knows what that is. But as long as we’re shooting in that direction, we’re way ahead of where others are.”

If you enjoyed hearing from Jason Anthoine and want to learn more, you can find him here: 

The post How Leaders Can Make Work Matter More with Jason Anthoine appeared first on Crestcom International.

In the latest episode of The Leadership Habit Podcast, Jenn DeWall sits down with Bryan Adams, a visionary in employer branding and candidate experience, to discuss overcoming setbacks at work. Together, they discuss how to fine-tune employer branding to overcome organizational workplace challenges.

Bryan Adams is the CEO and founder of HappyDance. He has revolutionized how major brands such as Apple, American Airlines, and Nike attract and engage talent. With a career spanning over 20 years, Bryan’s groundbreaking approach is detailed in his bestselling book, “Give and Get Employer Branding.” His innovative strategies have helped numerous organizations build compelling employer brands that attract and retain top talent.

Jenn DeWall kicks off the conversation by highlighting the common setbacks organizations face, particularly in employer branding. Bryan Adams talks about how problems can happen when a company’s brand doesn’t match its workplace culture.

“It’s about setting expectations and being more honest and upfront about what you might find if you were to choose to work at a certain organization,” Bryan explains.

Bryan stresses the importance of transparency in employer branding. He believes leaders can attract the right talent by being clear about a workplace’s positive and negative aspects. This honesty will help build a more committed workforce.  He points out, “If you’re upfront with what it actually takes to thrive…more people will be turned off than turned on, and that’s okay.” 

Bryan urges organizations to consider their employee value proposition as a smart filter for candidates. Being transparent about the company culture and nature of the work will allow candidates and employees to make better decisions about how well they match with an organization. 

Jenn agrees and wonders why organizations pretend they are something they are not. Bryan explains that trying to put your best foot forward is really just human nature. Employers have also been too focused on vanity metrics like Glassdoor ratings and top employer awards. However, he believes that “if you are brave enough to understand that your employer brand and your employee value proposition should actually repel more people than it compels— that’s when you start making progress.”

When organizations are experiencing a setback, Bryan highlights the need for a strategic approach to employer branding. He advises organizations to focus on being compelling rather than merely attractive. “Organizations should try to be compelling to fewer people,” Bryan suggests. “There’s no such thing as a good or bad culture; it’s about being well-matched or not well-matched to somebody.”

This concept is particularly relevant for leaders who are looking to build strong, cohesive teams. When it comes to building the right team, Crestcom’s leadership training teaches managers to focus on matching team members’ values and goals with the organization’s mission for success.

Bryan explains that employer branding is not just about attracting new talent but also about retaining existing employees. He explains that a strong employer brand can help organizations weather crises and setbacks by maintaining a committed and engaged workforce. “Every organization has an employer brand, whether you’ve designed it or not,” Bryan notes. “The success of an employer brand comes from aligning with the true wants and needs of the organization.”

Throughout the podcast, Bryan shares examples of organizations that have successfully navigated setbacks by leveraging strong employer branding. He discusses companies like Canva, Salesforce, and Peloton. These companies have utilized their employer brands to create captivating experiences for job seekers. “If you can tell your story in a compelling way and put your finger on what makes you unique or different, then you have a great chance,” Bryan explains.

These examples show how storytelling is important in employer branding, something Crestcom focuses on in leadership training. Leaders can inspire and motivate their teams by crafting and sharing powerful narratives.

Bryan’s insights highlight the critical intersection between employer branding and effective leadership. He argues that leaders play a crucial role in shaping and communicating the organization’s brand. 

“Your employer brand is the how. How are we going to get there? What’s the culture? What’s my contribution?” Bryan asks.

Crestcom’s leadership development approach aligns with this perspective. Learning the skills to establish and uphold a positive company culture is a vital part of leadership. Leaders can enhance their employer brand and drive organizational success by fostering a culture of transparency, trust, and alignment.

Towards the end of the podcast, Bryan shares practical steps for leaders looking to improve their employer brand and overcome setbacks. He emphasizes the importance of ongoing effort and commitment to maintaining and evolving the employer brand. “The rate of change of most organizations today means that the reality is shifting such that your employee value proposition needs to be kept fresh more frequently,” he advises.

The conversation between Jenn DeWall and Bryan Adams offers invaluable insights into overcoming setbacks through strategic employer branding. Bryan’s emphasis on transparency, compelling storytelling, and alignment with organizational values resonates strongly with Crestcom’s leadership principles. By integrating these strategies, leaders can build resilient teams, enhance employee engagement, and drive long-term success.

For more insights on leadership and employer branding, connect with Bryan Adams here: 

Crestcom’s leadership training programs provide leaders with tools and strategies to continuously assess and adapt their leadership approaches. Leaders can keep their employer brand strong by understanding their team’s needs and adapting to changes in the business world.

The Leadership Habit listeners can also request a free leadership workshop for their organization here: crestcom.com/freeworkshop

The post Overcome Common Setbacks in Employer Branding with Bryan Adams appeared first on Crestcom International.