The Productivity Shift

Jennifer McKibbin Harris has spent eight years working with growing businesses on the people side of their company. She's not your stuffy HR person. She's the one leaders call when the house is on fire, and ideally before it gets to that.

In this episode we talk about:

• Why you already have a culture, whether you created it intentionally or not, and what to do about it
• The stuff that happens between hiring and firing that most leaders don't think about until something goes wrong
• Why leadership can be so lonely and what it means to have a safe place to say the thing you can't say to your team
• Why your team doesn't need you to be perfect. They need you to be clear.

Find Jennifer at lookwithinhr.com and connect with her on LinkedIn.

You can also connect with me on LinkedIn here. 

Andy Nunez has spent 30 years helping founders and operators see what they're too close to see. In this conversation we get into the messy gap between how a business feels like it's running and how it's actually running.

Here's what we dig into:

• Why data alone isn't enough and why context is the thing most businesses are missing
• What "key person risk" actually means and why it probably applies to you, even if you've never heard the term
• How scaling a business quietly creates communication breakdown at the leadership level
• The question Andy asks every founder that most can't fully answer

Want to connect with Andy? [LinkedIn] [Email: [email protected] ]

Want to connect with Elise? [LinkedIn] [Email: [email protected] ]

Episode 130: Do More, More Naturally with Amy Bruske of Kolbe Corp

You know how sometimes you're crushing it at work, checking all the boxes, getting promoted, doing everything "right"... and you're completely miserable? Yeah, we're talking about that today.

I sat down with Amy Bruske from Kolbe Corp to dig into something I've been nerding out about for years: the Kolbe Index. This isn't about personality or skills—it's about how your brain actually gets things done.

Here's what we covered:

• Why getting promoted based on your weaknesses is a recipe for burnout (even when you're "successful")
• The missing third part of your mind that most assessments ignore—and why it changes everything about productivity
• Why someone else's perfect system might make you want to throw your laptop out the window
• How understanding your partner's or teammate's Kolbe results can turn conflict into collaboration
• The three Cs framework: Clarity, Commitment, and Control (and how to actually use them)

Resources mentioned:

• Book: Do More, More Naturally by Amy Bruske and David Kolbe (it's short, accessible, and has zero fluff—you can read it on a plane ride)
• Kolbe.com for free resources, videos, and to take your Kolbe Index
• They have versions for kids too, which means my nieces are about to get very familiar with assessments

My Kolbe result: 2, 8, 6, 5 (which explains SO MUCH about why I want the summary, not the dissertation)

Want to share your biggest insight from this episode? I'd love to hear what landed for you. And if you have questions about the Kolbe Index, hit me up—I'm happy to point you to resources or share from my own experience.

Keep making progress on what matters most to you.

Episode Title: "Experts, Not Gurus: Why I Joined The Crew's Faculty Model"

Show Notes:

This week I'm sharing a conversation I had with Mari Wuellner on her Living on Purpose Podcast about the state of the coaching industry and why it desperately needs a reality check.

What we covered:

• The trust deficit in coaching and why the industry needs better solutions 
• How the "guru model" is broken - nobody can actually be an expert at everything 
• Mari's revolutionary faculty model with The Crew and why I decided to join as productivity faculty 
• My 16-year journey watching the coaching industry explode, both the good and the messy 
• Why quick fixes and miracle promises are setting people up to fail 
• How my divorce taught me that systems beat willpower every time 
• The unsexy truth: real change takes time and consistent support

Mari is revolutionizing coaching by bringing expert coaches together in one community at $97/month - because coaching shouldn't only be accessible to wealthy people. Instead of one person claiming they can fix your entire life, you get actual experts in productivity, mindset, wellness, and more.

This felt like the right kind of coaching to be part of. We stick around long enough to help you actually implement what you learn instead of dumping information and disappearing.

If you've been burned by coaching before or you're curious about what sustainable support actually looks like, this episode will give you a lot to think about.

Links:
Join The Crew
Schedule a chat with Mari

Hey Shifters!

Money can be scary for entrepreneurs - especially when we're trying to make an impact while also making a profit. Ever feel guilty about charging what you're worth? Or maybe you're avoiding looking at your books altogether? (I've been there!)

That's why I'm thrilled to share my conversation with Audrey Heesch, the self-proclaimed "quirky money lady" and founder of The Graceful Penny. She's on a mission to help entrepreneurs build financial confidence without sacrificing their values.

In this episode, we dive into:

🎁 FREE RESOURCE

Download Audrey's financial tracker spreadsheet to start getting clarity on your numbers! It's beginner-friendly and designed to help you build confidence with your finances. And it includes a demo. Get it here: https://thegracefulpenny.podia.com/financial-tracker

About Audrey: Audrey Heesch started her accounting journey at age 14 when her mom handed her a laptop and checkbook and said "figure it out." Today, she helps entrepreneurs infuse financial literacy and ethics into their businesses through The Graceful Penny. Her mission is to help business owners make money confidently while creating positive impact in the world.

Keep making progress on what matters most to you!

-Elise

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To uncover your Productivity Personality, go here.

Want support getting your team's systems in place? That's what I do! Reach out to learn more about how we can work together. Email me at: [email protected]

Episode 127

Beyond 'Let's Circle Back After the Holidays': Making it Actually Work

Hey Shifters! ✨

We're diving into that familiar end-of-year phrase we're all starting to hear (and say): "Let's circle back after the holidays." But instead of letting these tasks float into the void, I'm showing you how to handle them intentionally!

In this episode:

- Why I'm in full "circle back" mode (including some personal updates about my wife's upcoming knee surgery)

- How to do a realistic pre-holiday task audit

- Setting up your systems to actually support you (whether you're team digital or pen-and-paper)

- The 3 C's of intention: Clarity, Communication, and Consistency

- Practical tips for GQueues users (link below)

Pro Tip: Don't just mentally postpone tasks – actually update your systems to reflect the new timeline! Your future self will thank you.

Resources Mentioned:

- GQueues Task Management App: https://gqz.page.link/H83oswp1dR3EEijA8

Remember Shifters: Being realistic about what won't get done is just as important as being clear about what will. 

Ep 126

When Your Plate is Too Full: Prioritize Your Way to a Lighter Load

Hey Shifters! In this episode, we're diving into that overwhelming feeling when your plate is too full - you know the one, where your chest gets tight just thinking about all those tasks? Let's talk about how to handle it, especially during the hectic Q4 season.

In this episode:

- Why Q4 can create extra stress and overwhelm

- The importance of brain dumps when feeling overwhelmed

- How to sequence projects instead of trying to tackle everything at once

- Using your "bonus brain" (system) to manage tasks effectively

- Moving projects to January (or later) isn't failing - it's smart planning

Key takeaways:

- Just because something is on your to-do list doesn't mean it needs to be done now

- Your system should support you by holding tasks until you're ready for them

- Daily engagement with your task management system is crucial

- Treat your project planning app like your email and calendar - check it daily

- Your task list reminds you of what YOU want, while email often shows what OTHERS want

Until next time, Shifters, keep making progress on what matters most to you!

Want help building your own system? Let's chat about how to assess and improve your bonus brain. Reach out for a consultation! Email me: [email protected]

GQueues Task/Project Management App: https://gqz.page.link/H83oswp1dR3EEijA8

(This is an affiliate link. I do get a little bonus if you eventually sign up for the paid version of GQueues. It's enough for me to buy a Vegan Oat Bar at Cafe Ladro. ;-) But that's not why I'm recommending GQueues, I'm recommending it because I believe in it and use it every single day!)

The Productivity Shift

Episode 125: Get off the Hamster Wheel with Rhythms

Schedule a private tour of the GYST Community: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18005465&appointmentType=14362589

Hey Shifters! This week, I'm diving into the importance of creating rhythms in our lives to break out of that "hamster wheel" feeling we all sometimes get.

What I cover in this episode:

Big takeaway:

If you're feeling stuck on the hamster wheel of life, it might be time to introduce some intentional rhythms into your routine. Take time to pause, reflect, and plan - whether it's weekly, monthly, or yearly.

Want to join us?

If you're ready to hop off the treadmill and create some powerful rhythms in your life and work, consider joining us in the GYST Community!

Schedule a private tour of the GYST Community: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18005465&appointmentType=14362589

Podcast recommendations:

If you're looking for a new listen, here are some of my favorite recent episodes from "Rethinking with Adam Grant":

Thanks for tuning in, Shifters! Keep making progress on what matters most to you. 💪

Episode 124: Post-Vacation Overwhelm: Reclaiming Control After Time Away

In this episode, I dive into a common challenge many of us face: the overwhelming feeling of returning to work after a vacation. Drawing from my own experiences at Microsoft and my current role as a productivity coach for small business owners, I explore strategies to ease the transition and regain control of your workload.

Key Points:

- The importance of buffer days when returning from vacation

- Why anxiety often stems from not knowing what's not getting done

- Strategies for processing accumulated tasks, emails, and notes

- The value of creating a re-entry plan focused on progress, not perfection

- How to break down overwhelming tasks into manageable chunks

Actionable Tips:

1. Tackle email backlogs one day at a time

2. Create intentional progress milestones and celebrate small wins

3. Consider implementing a weekly "systems check" to stay on top of tasks

If you're struggling with overwhelm in your life or business, I invite you to schedule a free 15-minute "Overcome Your Overwhelm" session with me. It's amazing what we can accomplish in just 15 minutes!

Remember, our focus should be on progress, not perfection. By understanding our needs and giving ourselves what we need, we can make meaningful progress on what matters most while remaining present to the people and opportunities around us.

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who might benefit and consider rating the podcast to help it reach more people.

Until next week, keep making progress on what matters most to you!

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Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/theproductivityshift/

Schedule an Overcome Your Overwhelm session here:  https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18005465&appointmentType=67813162  

Ep 123: Overcoming Overwhelm with the Power of the 3 Cs

Hey there, dear listeners! It's Elise Enriquez, and in this episode, we're revisiting a concept I introduced way back in my second episode of this podcast: my formula for intention. Let's dive into how clarity, communication, and consistency work together to create intentional actions and outcomes.

What We Covered:

1. My formula for intention: Clarity + Communication + Consistency = Intention

2. A recent "Overcoming Overwhelm" coaching session that perfectly illustrates this concept

3. The challenges of leadership transitions and clear handoffs

4. How we can sometimes contribute to our own frustrations without realizing it

5. Applying this formula to various aspects of our lives and work

Episode Highlights:

- I shared about my complimentary "Overcoming Overwhelm" coaching sessions and how they work

- We explored a case study of a leader struggling with handing off responsibilities

- I walked through the process of identifying the root cause of stress and overwhelm

- We discussed creating an effective onboarding document for leadership transitions

- I explained how to recognize when you might be contributing to your own frustration

Actionable Tips from Elise:

1. Identify the main source of your stress or overwhelm

2. Get crystal clear about what needs to be done and by when

3. Communicate your expectations clearly to those involved

4. Create systems or documents to support consistent action

5. Approach difficult conversations with humility and a willingness to improve

Resources for You:

- Want your own "Overcoming Overwhelm" session with me? Book one using the link in the show notes!

- Connect with me on Instagram @TheProductivityShift to share your sources of overwhelm

Your Next Steps:

1. Take a moment right now to identify your biggest source of stress

2. Apply my clarity, communication, and consistency formula to address it

3. If you found this episode helpful, I'd be so grateful if you left a positive review

4. Share your overwhelm experiences with me on Instagram or book a session for personalized help

Remember, my dear listeners, intentional actions lead to better outcomes in business, leadership, and personal life. Keep making progress on what matters most to you!

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Book a complimentary Overcome Your Overwhelm session here.

Let's connect on IG:  

https://www.instagram.com/theproductivityshift/