The ability to move forward anyway is what separates the dreamer who continually dreams from the doer who gets stuff done! —Kate Crocco

On Today’s Episode:

* Carla talks with Kate Crocco, psychotherapist and mindset coach

* Kate talks about the self-limiting lies we tell ourselves

* Why she decided to write a book to help female leaders step into the CEO mindset

* The importance of showing realness in all facets of life, especially social media

* Breaking through the limiting beliefs behind making money

Kate has a passion for launching people past the lies they have been holding onto. Thoughts like “I’m too old/young/unqualified to succeed,” or “I can’t possibly have a successful business and be a good parent” are lies many of us tell ourselves. In her book Thinking Like a Boss: Uncover and Overcome the Lies Holding You Back from Success, Kate dives deep into the various limiting beliefs and lies which prevent us from achieving the success we deserve. You can follow more of Kate on her Instagram @katecrocco.

As always, feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions, comments, ideas, or needs: email me directly via [email protected] or tweet me @ronkitchens.

Always Forward.

—Ron

Question: What self-limiting lies are holding you back from achieving the success you deserve?

The only thing that’s real is your ability to face life’s challenges and adversities as they come. —Michelle Poler

On Today’s Episode:

* I talk with Michelle Poler, author of Hello, Fears (releasing tomorrow!)

* How Michelle learned the difference between being comfortable and being happy

* What inspired Michelle to fight 100 fears over 100 days

* Why Michelle dislikes the word “fearless”

This pandemic has awakened a lot of fears in people. Michelle’s perspective on facing those fears, what she learned on her journey, and her drive to help others couldn’t be more timely. Michelle shares an abundance of bravery and pointers to get you equally brave to face your own fears. Because do not be mistaken: though she is a proficient fear-facer, Michelle is not without fear. Tune in now to hear more from her! And follow her @hellofears on Instagram and @hellofears on Twitter.

As always, feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions, comments, ideas, or needs: email me directly via [email protected] or tweet me @ronkitchens.

Always Forward.

—Ron

Question: What is preventing you from facing your fears? 

This crisis will test who you are, what you believe in, and what you do. —Jon Gordon

On Today’s Episode:

* I had the opportunity to connect with Jon Gordon, bestselling author and speaker

* Jon dives into his journey to become more positive as a naturally negative person

* The importance of filling voids with positivity so negativity does not seep in

* Jon’s advice to cultivate characteristics to becoming thriving humans

Jon’s story is powerful, and his advice on positivity has been requested far and wide, ranging from The Golf Channel to West Point Academy. Jon has written 18 books, many of which are best-sellers. In today’s interview, you will hear Jon and me talking about his journey to positivity, why it is so important especially during a crisis such as the one we are currently experiencing, and how you can start to cultivate those same characteristics. If you would like to follow Jon, you can do so @jongordon11 on Twitter and also @jongordon11 on Instagram.

Things are changing so fast right now. The Southwest Michigan First team is here to help you; please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or needs: email me directly via [email protected] or tweet me @ronkitchens. We are all in this together.

Always Forward.

—Ron

Question: When have you waited too long to pull the proverbial trigger on a launch and what did it cost you? How did you recover?

The way to get started is to quit talking and start doing. —Walt Disney

On Today’s Episode:

* I discuss with Carla why productive beats perfect

* Sometimes the effort to be perfect slows down speed-to-market

* Waiting for perfection equals a decision not to lead in a crisis

* The importance of coupling information with transparency

* Communication is key during a crisis

The Southwest Michigan First (SMF) team is generally speaking anti good enough, and in regular business, “good is the enemy of great” as Jim Collins so famously stated. But in times of crisis, choosing to wait for perfection is the same as deciding not to lead. The moment will pass you by and so will your thought leadership. Tune in now to hear more about choosing to be productive rather than perfect in these times.

This is an unprecedented time in our country’s history, and the SMF team is here for you. Our entire staff is getting trained in various programming and solutions; if you need help or a consultation, please reach out to any one of us. If you have any questions, comments or ideas, please drop me a line, email me directly via [email protected] or tweet me @ronkitchens. We are all in this together.

Always Forward.

—Ron

Question: When have you waited too long to pull the proverbial trigger on a launch and what did it cost you? How did you recover?

The people must have ownership in the vision. They need to be enabled to accomplish it. If there is one investment you should make, it is in people. —Modesta Lilian Mbughuni

On Today’s Episode:

* Carla and I discuss pivoting with the team in times of crisis.

* Do you have team members whose roles have been diminished in this work from home (WFH) time?

* How can your team still work within their strengths in a different capacity?

* A crisis calls for all hands on deck, now is not the time for “but that’s not my job.”

* Having grace for yourself and your team as everyone is figuring out the change.

Perhaps the most difficult part of this lightning-fast change in business is pivoting your team and strategy. Overcommunication becomes an integral part of that pivot. Something that is often overlooked is the need for your team to have meaningful work. This is not the time for busy work; your team will disengage so fast you hardly see it coming. And always keep in mind that you want to be an agent of change, not a victim of change.

This is an unprecedented time in our country’s history, and the Southwest Michigan First team is here for you. Our entire staff is getting trained in various programming and solutions; if you need help or a consultation, please reach out to any one of us. If you have any questions, comments or ideas, please drop me a line, email me directly via [email protected] or tweet me @ronkitchens. We are all in this together.

Always Forward.

—Ron

Question: What are the changes your organization and team had to make? How did you make those decisions?

This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. —Franklin D. Roosevelt

On Today’s Episode:

* Carla and I continue our conversation about navigating business through this pandemic

* You can find part 1 here.

* Sharing insight on the programs and options available for businesses

* Stimulus package programs like the Paycheck Protection Program and SBA loans

* Reach out to your local economic development organization for help

* Incentives to support small businesses

This is an unprecedented time in our country’s history, and the Southwest Michigan First team is here for you. Our entire staff is getting trained in various programming and solution; if you need help or a consultation, please reach out to any one of us. If you have any questions, comments or ideas, please drop me a line, email me directly via [email protected] or tweet me @ronkitchens. We are all in this together.

Always Forward.

—Ron

Question: What are your questions about the programs available for business? 

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping. —Fred Rogers

On Today’s Episode:

* I have a conversation with Carla about getting business through this crisis

* The most important thing to remember: we will come out of this

* Leaders have to keep their organizations alive

* Supporting local businesses, facilities, and organizations is more important than ever

* Listen to part 2 for an overview of programming available

The SMF team and I are here for you in this turbulent time. There are many hurdles to overcome pertaining to team, culture, engagement and strategy. If you have any questions, comments or ideas, please drop me a line, email me directly via [email protected] or tweet me @ronkitchens. We are all in this together.

Always Forward.

—Ron

Question: How are you seeing businesses adapt in order to get through the COVID-19 crisis?

It’s not stress that kills us, it’s our reaction to it. —Hans Selye

On Today’s Episode:

* Carla and I have a robust conversation about managing stress

* The level of anxiety in today’s world is higher than ever before

* Increased stress associated with the COVID-19 situation

* Financial and economic implications

* Three American Psychological Association (APA) recommendations to cope

The SMF team and I are here for you in this turbulent time. There are many hurdles to overcome pertaining to team, culture, engagement and strategy. If you have any questions, comments or ideas, please drop me a line, email me directly via [email protected] or tweet me @ronkitchens. We are all in this together.

Always Forward.

—Ron

Question: Where are you noticing the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic most? How are you coping with that increased level of stress?

When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. —Henry Ford

On Today’s Episode:

* I talk with Carla about preparing for disruptions

* How Southwest Michigan First (SMF) is adapting to the COVID-19 related business disruptions

* The importance of overcommunication right now

* Using this time wisely to strategize for the coming months

* How to keep a culture of accountability

Things changed at lightning speed over the past two weeks. The amount of pivoting that had to be done at SMF was incredible, and I am grateful that our team was built to move and change directions quickly. On this week’s episode, I talk more with Carla about why SMF has not missed a beat, how we made sure that we are always prepared to keep going in case of unforeseen circumstances, and how we are making things work in this current remote-work reality.

The SMF team and I are here for you in this turbulent time. There are many hurdles to overcome pertaining to team, culture, engagement and strategy. If you have any questions, comments or ideas, please drop me a line, email me directly via [email protected] or tweet me @ronkitchens. We are all in this together

Always Forward.

—Ron

Question: What are you doing to adapt in this time of distancing? How are you enabling your team to work from home? 

Influence always outpaces authority. —Clay Scroggins

On Today’s Episode:

* Carla and I talk about how to lead when you’re not in charge

* Young leaders can struggle to figure out what it looks like to lead even when they do not make the decisions

* Girl Scouts teach young women they are in charge

* Three tips to leading when you’re not in charge

At Southwest Michigan First, we have an axiom that addresses this desire to lead at all levels. We call it being the “ceo of our own responsibilities” and it encourages the team to lead their responsibilities like they are the chief executive officer of that area. This teaches staff at all levels that they own their role, which fosters a sense of trust and commitment from both sides. Remember: Leadership is not a title, it is a behavior. It is the act of getting people to do something that is in their best interest, whether you have the authority to command those people or not.

I love to talk about leadership, culture and high performing teams. If you have any questions, comments or ideas, feel free to drop me a line, email me directly via [email protected] or tweet me @ronkitchens.

Always Forward.

—Ron

Question: What are your tips for people starting their careers to lead when they are not technically in charge?