The Still Space Podcast

Just last night I returned from a 16 day Portuguese vacation to Lisbon and The Algarve during which I made time to notice some important aspects of why travel does and does not work for people. Over the years, my travel experiences have showed me a lot about myself, other people, other cultures and what I call vacation behavior. I have had time to think about this and in this episode I share six reasons why travel can and cannot be the best experience. Set yourself up for what works for you with these reflections. Here is a YouTube Link to a video that shows you some stynning highlights from the trip >>> https://youtu.be/1jr0ouPaoHE?si=IHbB8nS3ie538lc_  For more career, executive presence and self-regulation resources go to www.MaryLeeGannon.com

When you walk into a room you can tell immediately who the strong and respected leaders are by the way they carry themselves, by the people around them, by the way the speak and by their body language. In this episode we discuss not only the tactical moves and personas of high performing executive leaders but what they do to mentally, physically and spiritually center themselves to lead. For more career, executive presence and self-regulation resources go to www.MaryLeeGannon.com

Every one of us has been through a transition – first day of school, first day of college, first day on the job, heartbreak, a layoff, having been terminated at work, a divorce, death of a loved one, moving to a new home or a new town, cleaning out and selling your family house, being an empty nester, a serious illness, illness in a loved one, caring for aging parents or a loved one, retirement, downsizing. The list goes on. In this episode we explore the thoughts behind these transitions that lead to the difficult emotions that keep people stuck. I show you how to honor those difficult emotions and not turn away in fear. You are then able to open the door to new thoughts that create new emotions that lead to a blue sky life. It is time to rediscover your true identity in this Epoch phase of your life so you can live a happier life, get a better role or explore something new, and enjoy better relationships with the people who matter. Your identity is not tied to your existing or previous role. It is tied to your core. Let’s rediscover what is there. For more career, executive presence and self-regulation resources go to www.MaryLeeGannon.com

How do you maintain executive presence, be an accessible leader, exhibit agility and strategic execution when you’re being asked to do more with less, you doubt yourself, you see others advancing when you are not, and your personal life takes a backseat to work? In this episode you’ll hear eight actionable practices you can do right now to be the person people ‘must have’ on their team. For more career, executive presence and self-regulation resources go to www.MaryLeeGannon.com

Every day in your work you present information for the purpose of influencing others. A great presentation creates connection, builds, rapport, underscores trust and closes deals. Poor presentations bore people, divide them, and worse yet close the door on future opportunity. It is hard to change a first impression. In this episode we discuss nine mindful tips for a great presentation. For more career, executive presence and self-regulation resources go to www.MaryLeeGannon.com

Humans are wired to play it safe. This is why we are not extinct as a species - we know our tribe, we know our role in the tribe, and we know if we don’t live up to our role we may risk being ousted by the tribe which in earlier times may have resulted in death by the elements, a competing tribe or a mastodon. In current day that human will to survive translates to our need to belong, be accepted, be affirmed and valued. In this episode we will discuss how this need can trap us in the most dangerous risk of all and what to do about it. For more career, executive presence and self-regulation resources go to www.MaryLeeGannon.com

Many of my clients are in their 40s, 50s and 60s and are experiencing ageism at work and in life. It is an insidious form of discrimination because it is hard to prove, rarely litigated yet quietly undermining careers, workforce productivity and people’s self-worth. I speak and write a lot on ageism because it upsets me. I see the havoc it plays on personas and self-esteem. In this podcast we discuss what ageism is, the hidden signs and what you can do to be prepared and not fall into the trap of being ageist. Aging is one condition that will affect all of us. For more career, executive presence and self-regulation resources go to www.MaryLeeGannon.com

Have you ever tried to reason with a difficult person who absolutely will not listen? Anxiety builds when you think you are making a logical argument, have the facts behind you, the other person is not bending at all yet you keep arguing with them. You start to question yourself, doubting your effectiveness. Your frustration becomes apparent, unraveling of your composure and destroying your executive presence. In this episode we talk about three questions you can ask yourself to self-regulate your emotions and show up with presence and power in these high stakes situations. For more career, executive presence and self-regulation resources go to www.MaryLeeGannon.com

It’s human nature to look in the mirror and compare ourselves to the images our culture throws at us every day. Being young, successful, body beautiful and wealthy are what our society thrives on, reminding us of what we should aspire to be and spend our money on to get there. And so, we invest in expensive products, clothes, gym memberships, degrees, makeup, youth enhancements and the like grasping to experience what these images project - happiness. Yet the U.S. remains the most depressed and overmedicated nation in the world. In this episode we learn from a master how to ground ourselves and rise above situations that are out of our control to find peace and fulfillment. For more career, executive presence and self-regulation resources go to www.MaryLeeGannon.com

My two thirty-something daughters asked to go on a vacation with me – just the three of us alone. I was profoundly touched and also grateful because when they were little I didn’t have money to take the family out to dinner let alone on a vacation. Because of the financial and emotional hardships we suffered during my divorce and afterward, there was a lot of stress when they were little. Some resentment and animosity carried into their young adulthood. Now they have their own lives – Maria has a husband and two children and Brianna has a committed relationship and they both have demanding executive careers. Yet they asked to leave their lives and be alone with me on vacation for 5 days. I was as excited as a little kid. In this episode I take you along on our short journey where there was every emotion you can imagine – some difficult, some exciting, and some funny, and many compelling. It was a coming of age for all of us. For more career, executive presence and self-regulation resources go to www.MaryLeeGannon.com. Here is a link to a YouTube video from the trip >>> Three Girls and a Car in Search of Lighthouses