The Simplifiers Podcast

Ever been in a heated debate (or worse) an argument where you flat-out disagreed with the other person? How did it go? How did it end? And more importantly, how is that relationship doing after that conversation? Let's talk about respect today, my friend!

My special guest today is author Justin Jones-Fosu and he's simplifying how to respectfully disagree, both at work and at home. As you think about the potential critical conversations that might happen today or this week ahead, I hope today's conversation gives you deeper insight on how to keep your cool, not get triggered, but equally, how to gain a deeper understanding of the other side (even if you still disagree after that), so you can maintain a strong working relationship built on dignity, being valued, and solid respect.

Here's how.

My special guest today is Justin Jones-Fosu and he's simplifying how to respectfully disagree. We tackle and simplify all aspects of it, including:

• Why he's not a big fan of the term "civil discourse" and instead, he suggests there's a better way to frame things so your communication comes from the heart.

• What "golden respect" is and how it can help you become a better listener and communicator.

• How your earliest role models in life are the ones who've shaped your communication style now. He talks about his earliest memories of his mom and how she "planted the seeds of humanity" in him that rooted his current work in respectful conversations.

• What the 5 pillars of respectfully disagreeing are and 1-2 practical tips that you can test out today.

• Challenge your perspective

• Be the student

• Cultivate your curiosity

• Seek the gray

• Agree to respect

• …and ultimately, when someone says something to you that is especially triggering and/or emotionally charged to get a rise out of you, how to handle that situation in the best possible way, moving forward.

Q: Are you ready to learn how to respectfully disagree? If yes, this one is for you.

It's time to #DoTheThing!

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Show notes available with all links mentioned here:www.thesimplifiers.com/posts/357-how-to-respectfully-disagree---with-justin-jones-fosu

Time for a guided visualization exercise: this will help you choose what's right for you, if you've got a big decision to make this week. That will be our focus and intention for the entire month ahead… making good choices that enrich our lives and raise our vibration. So to kickoff the month, today is another guided visualization episode, which we release on the first Tuesday of every month this season. How does it work? Simple! Let my voice be a guide for you as you focus inward to help you tap into your inner wisdom and Intuition for answers.

Listen and participate in a guided visualization exercise: how to choose what's right for you.

You can do this, I believe in you.

It's time to SIMPLIFY.

Show notes available with all links mentioned here:https://www.thesimplifiers.com/posts/b145-how-to-choose-whats-right-for-you-guided-visualization---all-star

We've been talking a lot about AI (artificial intelligence) this season… And I feel now is an important time to talk about cybersecurity as it relates to AI. More specifically, do you know how hackers are using AI to infiltrate your business or compromise your private company, customer or employee data? It's time to simplify it.

My special guest today is cybersecurity expert Richard Hollis and he's simplifying how to be cybersecurity smart to AI threats. No matter what department you work in (HR, sales & marketing, strategy and especially if you work in an non-IT or cybersecurity function), you need to be up to speed on why hackers do what they do and how to keep your company safe.

Here's how.

My special guest today is Richard Hollis and he's simplifying how to be cybersecurity smart to AI threats. We tackle and simplify all aspects of it, including:

• That "all hacking boils down to three objectives." What they are and why they want that access inside your organization.

• To change a config

• Upload a program, or

• Get physical access to change a config or upload a program

• What the best advice is that he gives his clients to help them take cybersecurity seriously and put a crisis management plan in place.

• What the 6 stages are that you need to consider when building a Cyber Incident Response Plan:

• Preparation

• Identification

• Containment

• Eradication

• Recovery

• Lessons Learned

• NOTE: Build this plan *before* you get hacked.

• The best practices and strategies that mid-size businesses are utilizing today to keep their business IT systems as well prepared as possible to fight against hackers, includes:

• Conducting risk assessments

• Build information security policies

• Ensure all employees and contractors get regular cybersecurity training

• …and ultimately, he shared his insights on how he anticipates cyber criminals to use AI to hack your systems in the coming months ahead and what you can do to prevent this.

Q: Are you ready to learn how to be cybersecurity smart to AI threats? If yes, this one is for you.

It's time to #DoTheThing!

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Show notes available with all links mentioned here:https://www.thesimplifiers.com/posts/356-how-to-be-cybersecurity-smart-to-ai-threats---with-richard-hollis

Real talk time: Is your career where you want it to be? When you think of your career mobility (as in how one role opens up other opportunities down the line), are you satisfied with where you are now and where you are headed? If things have veered off course, let's talk about it!

My special guest today is Susan Collins and she's simplifying how to leverage your network to drive career mobility. Because, let's face it… your greatest advocate is in fact, YOU. And that requires you to build strong working relationships (based on trust and respect) to help you get where you want to go next.

Here's how.

My special guest today is Susan Collins and she's simplifying how to leverage your network to drive career mobility. We tackle and simplify all aspects of it, including:

• When you're feeling disengaged and unhappy at work, how to uncover the root cause.

• In her words, "if you're happy and you know it, think ahead." What that means and how to do it simply.

• What "self-authoring" means and how it might be holding you back.

• What the 8 career narratives are that we should consider when crafting our own narrative of where you want to head next.

• How to leverage your network to help you open doors of opportunities and equally, why it's important for you to help open doors for others, as well.

• … and ultimately, she shares her advice to the introverts of the world listening today who feel nervous about networking and making bold asks to people, in order to move their career along.

Q: Are you ready to learn how to leverage your network to drive your career mobility? If yes, this one is for you.

It's time to #DoTheThing!

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Show notes available with all links mentioned here: https://www.thesimplifiers.com/posts/355-how-to-leverage-your-network-to-drive-career-mobility---with-susan-collins

Question: How important do you think it is to have a personal brand? As in, how you show up online, in person at work or at industry conferences… What do you want to be known for? In my opinion, it's the secret to building and advancing your career, opening doors of opportunity, and getting one step closer to doing the work you actually love.

My special guest today is Tamika Brunetti and she's simplifying how to uncover your #DigitalSwagger. That's what she calls it and I love that spin… How you show up online (in a professional sense) that sets the tone for how people engage with you. So let's talk about how to find your own swagger as you walk in the (proverbial) door the next time you're on LinkedIn!

Here's how.

My special guest today is Tamika Brunetti and she's simplifying how to uncover your #DigitalSwagger. We tackle and simplify all aspects of it, including:

• How she defines #DigitalSwagger and her thoughts on why it's so important for your career to have a personal brand.

• "But I'm an introvert and I really hate putting myself out there." Tamika shares advice to those who tend to keep their private lives private.

• Where to begin to uncover your #DigitalSwagger.

• Define your why - what is the purpose, intent, and measurable goal?

• How to update your digital profile on LinkedIn in 30 minutes or less. She talks about the key elements to focus on first.

• …and ultimately, why she believes that "engagement is one of the greatest rewards from all of this effort." How to make the effort you put in, worth it.

Q: Are you ready to learn how to uncover your #DigitalSwagger and build yourself a personal brand? If yes, this one is for you.

It's time to #DoTheThing!

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Show notes available with all links mentioned here:https://www.thesimplifiers.com/posts/354-how-to-uncover-your-digitalswagger---with-tamika-brunetti

Let's do a guided visualization exercise together: here's how to gain clarity on where you will be in a year from now. How to drop down into your deep Intuition, get clear on what you want, where you want to go, and what you want to experience all along the way. You have the power to gain clarity right here, right now in this moment and I'd like the opportunity and privilege to guide you through the process.

Listen and participate in a guided visualization exercise: Where will you be in a year from now?

I hope this visualization sticks with you the entire week through. Do it again and again if you need clarity or fresh ideas on where you're headed next… Because when you tap into your deep inner knowing, you're accessing your deep inner wisdom. That electric energy that can be found inside all of us that connects us all together. It knows. You know. We all know if we are brave and we open ourselves to it.

You can do this, I believe in you.

It's time to SIMPLIFY.

Show notes available with all links mentioned here: https://www.thesimplifiers.com/posts/b144-where-will-you-be-in-a-year-from-now-guided-visualization

Here's how to declutter your workspace in just seven minutes… but I want to do this one in a slightly different way. Instead of talking about theory, I want to make this a working episode, meaning in the next seven minutes, you and I are going to declutter our offices together. By the end of this episode, you'll have made progress on refreshing your space and ultimately, feel proud that you did the thing.

It's time to do the thing and declutter your workspace.

Ok, so here's how this is going to work… you'll need to gather a few basic supplies and be ready to take action.

Here are the supplies you need:

• Wet wipes or some cleaning spray and paper towels

• Post-it® notes and a pen

• Trash bin

And if you don't have those things, no biggie… just improvise. Don't let this stop you from doing the thing.

Ok, using your Post-it® notes, create four piles:

1. Keep and file

2. Recycle or trash

3. To do this week

4. To do next week

Press "pause," write out those four categories and place them in the four different corners of your work space. Once you've done that, hit "play" and then we can get started.

Alright, ready to go? Awesome. I'm going to set a 7-minute timer for us… starting now. Just listen to my voice and get 'err done!

Big things to tackle:

• Take everything off your desk… make space.

• Sort through the stacks of paper, mail and/or bills. What can you file away? What can you recycle?

• Are there things that don't belong here? Put them back in their spot (dishes, hoodies, bags, etc).

• Take time to dust all surfaces, wiping down your desk, your electronics, and screens.

Okay, how was that for you? Did you make some progress on your workspace? Were you able to declutter things even just a little bit? Also, did you find that the accountability of having a buddy doing it alongside you was a helpful motivator?? I know that helps me take action on things that I'm procrastinating on.

So, well done on decluttering your workspace! It's amazing what you can accomplish in seven minutes like that. Feel free to do it over and over again if you need a longer session.

And let me know if you like this experimental format of The Simplifiers Podcast… if you guys dig this, I'll make more #dothething style episodes in the future and sprinkle them in. That way, we can do the things together that you are procrastinating on and pushing to the bottom of your to-do list… I think this is a great way to get motivated, take action, and feel like a badass just by simplifying them down and actually getting them done!

You can do this, I believe in you. It's time to SIMPLIFY.

Show notes available with all links mentioned here:https://www.thesimplifiers.com/posts/b143-how-to-declutter-your-workspace---dothething-all-star

Are you looking for a job right now? If so, there are some incredible AI tools that you can use to help you along your job search. We are pleased to feature this popular ALL-STAR episode once again!

Let me tell you about the top 5 AI tools out there that will help you get a job. If you've been laid off recently or just looking to move into a different job at a different company, let me tell you… the job market has COMPLETELY changed!

Smart and savvy job seekers are using AI tools to help them in all aspects of their job search, including:

• Finding jobs that match your experience level for you to apply to

• Identifying your key skills for a particular job posting

• Tailoring your resume specifically for each job you apply for

• Helping you craft your cover letter

So, let's talk about the top 5 AI tools that people are using to help them be more efficient in their job search and reduce the headache of being between jobs.

(Disclaimer alert!) I want to be super clear… I encourage you to use AI as a starting point tool, something that will help you brainstorm and as an idea generator, but not to do all the work for you.

Bottomline, you are very smart to brush up your skills in AI because your future employer is looking for people who've got these skills as they begin to implement AI and automation into their workflows this year. Well done you, keep doing the thing!

You can do this, I believe in you.It's time to SIMPLIFY.

Show notes available with all links mentioned here: https://www.thesimplifiers.com/posts/b142-top-5-ai-tools-to-help-you-get-a-job-all-star

Job seekers: do you know what it takes to stand out as a top job applicant in today's incredibly competitive job market? Even simply getting a first interview seems like an incredible feat these days. What does it take to land your next dream role… or really, ANY role for that matter?

My special guest today is talent acquisition leader Kim Dymond Balogh and she's simplifying how to stand out as a top job applicant. Gone are the days where you can apply for a handful of jobs and get one easily. You've got to be savvy about positioning yourself as a thought leader in your area of genius and start to get people talking positively about you behind closed doors.

Here's how.

My special guest today is recruiter Kim Dymond and she's simplifying how to stand out as a top job applicant. We tackle and simplify all aspects of it, including:

• As a recruiter, what she believes is going on in the current job market and why it seems so different right now.

• What the key ingredients are to stand out online and in your job applications. What recruiters are looking for and what you should optimize first to drive attention.

• We spoke about video resumes, which are short, impactful video conversations highlighting your top skills and expertise. How to make one and where to post it.

• Yes, you need to go above and beyond to get noticed these days - She shares her top tips for networking that will differentiate yourself from the competition.

• …and ultimately, we talked about how important it is to create relevant, impactful content on LinkedIn as a job seeker and simple ways you can do it to start booking interviews.

Q: Are you ready to learn how to stand out as a top job applicant? If yes, this one is for you.

It's time to #DoTheThing!

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Show notes available with all links mentioned here:https://www.thesimplifiers.com/posts/353-how-to-stand-out-as-a-top-job-applicant---with-kim-dymond

Question: Ever find that when you've got a big, looming deadline, you're doing everything else BUT the thing that's due? "Oh, look at those dishes over there! Man, I should clean out this junk drawer. Hmm, wonder what's happening over on Instagram?" Sound familiar?

My special guest today is Sam Bennett and she's simplifying how to stop procrastinating and get it done. When your to-do list is a mile long and the things that you really, really want to do in work and life seem further and further away from reality, the secret might be found in 15-minutes a day. No really!

Here's how.

My special guest today is Sam Bennett and she's simplifying how to stop procrastinating and get it done. We tackle and simplify all aspects of it, including:

• If you're feeling any sort of frustration or overwhelm that is causing the procrastination, she recommends "The 15-Minute Method." What it is and how it works.

• What the typical excuses are that we tell ourselves that keep us from getting stuff done and how to squash them.

• How The 15-Minute Method helps those with ADHD, neurospicy and highly creative people, especially when dealing with perfectionism.

• How to tap into the "Alchemy of Effort" and why it helps us create momentum.

• …and ultimately, for those with long COVID or chronic fatigue, how this advice can particularly help you to get things done.

Q: Are you ready to learn how to stop procrastinating and get stuff done? If yes, this one is for you.

It's time to #DoTheThing!

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Show notes available with all links mentioned here:https://www.thesimplifiers.com/posts/352-how-to-stop-procrastinating-get-it-done---with-sam-bennett