The Wake Up Eager Podcast

In this episode of the Wake Up Eager Workforce Podcast, Suzie Price sits down with Judy Rees, a leading voice in Clean Language, to explore how this powerful tool can transform leadership conversations.

Rather than making assumptions and jumping to conclusions, Clean Language helps leaders ask better questions and truly understand what people mean. Judy explains how leaders can use these tools to reduce miscommunication, make better decisions, and build high-commitment, low-drama teams.

Suzie and Judy dive into the top questions that leaders can start using right away to unlock clarity in conversations and guide teams toward better collaboration and problem-solving. They also discuss the importance of reflection, active listening, and understanding in leadership, emphasizing how Clean Language improves both the listening and speaking skills of leaders.

This episode is a must-listen for any leader who wants to stop misinterpreting and instead create meaningful, action-oriented conversations that lead to clearer outcomes and stronger team dynamics.

Top Takeaways of Episode #146 ---

• What you heard is not what they meant — We automatically interpret through our own experience. That meaning-making is the #1 reason conversations go wrong
• One simple question can unlock clarity — "What kind of X is that X?" reveals what someone actually means. Even one question can change the entire direction of a conversation.
• Stop solving the problem—ask what they want — "What would you like to happen?" shifts from complaint → outcome. This is the fastest way to move people forward.
• People feel heard when you use their exact words — Repeating someone's language activates connection and trust. It literally changes how people experience the conversation.
• Slow down to speed up — Each question takes ~1 minute. But prevents miscommunication, rework, and wasted time.

In this episode:

[00:00:34] Suzie Price: "Clean Language isn't about fixing things — it's about understanding them first so that we can solve the right problem."

[00:05:12] Judy Rees: "What you heard is not what they said. Leaders often misinterpret because they're hearing with their assumptions, not with their ears."

[00:09:14] Tom Hanson: "Leaders are often making decisions based on incomplete information. Asking better questions helps get to the heart of what is actually needed."

[00:05:31] Judy Rees: "You are making meaning—and it's distorting what you're hearing. The key is to ask more questions to avoid jumping to conclusions."

[00:19:20] Suzie Price: "When you give people space to explain themselves fully, you avoid rushing to judgment, which allows for deeper insights and stronger solutions."

[00:50:23] Tom Hanson: "Stop trying to solve problems before you truly understand them. By questioning first, you lay the groundwork for more effective and sustainable solutions."

In this episode, Dr. Nicole Williams shares four simple health resets designed to improve performance, focus, and overall energy while preventing burnout.

She explains how techniques like nervous system regulation, eating a protein-rich breakfast, taking scheduled breaks, and staying hydrated can help high performers optimize their physical and mental resilience. These resets are not extreme but practical habits that support sustained energy and productivity throughout the day.

By implementing these strategies, leaders can avoid burnout, increase their focus, and sustain long-term success without sacrificing their health.

Key Takeaways from 2026 Tip #1 ---

• Nervous system regulation enhances performance :

By managing stress through deep breathing and relaxation techniques, high performers can maintain mental clarity, reduce anxiety, and improve focus.

• A protein-rich breakfast fuels energy and focus :

Starting the day with protein helps stabilize blood sugar, boost energy, and sustain focus, which is essential for optimal performance throughout the day.

• Hydration and breaks prevent burnout :

Staying hydrated and taking scheduled breaks allow the body and mind to recharge, preventing fatigue and maintaining high levels of energy and productivity.

Episode Transcript:

[00:01:00] Dr. Nicole Williams : "This quick reset shifts you to stress mode and back into clear thinking. Number two is the protein and produce power start to your day within the first hour of waking up, anchor your breakfast with protein plus fiber."

[00:02:00] Dr. Nicole Williams : "Take five-minute reboot blocks between your meetings where you can stand up, walk around, grab a glass of water, and even better get a little bit of light in your eyes."

[00:03:00] Dr. Nicole Williams : "These strategies are simple. By design, they're powerful because they work with your body and your schedule. You don't need a full lifestyle overhaul to feel better."

In this episode of the Wake Up Eager Workforce Podcast, Suzie Price tackles the challenge of workplace conflict and how it can be transformed into collaboration through aggressive listening.

She explains how aggressive listening — a powerful tool that goes beyond hearing words to truly understanding the emotions and intentions behind them — can be the key to resolving conflict and building stronger, more cohesive teams. Suzie dives into practical strategies that leaders can use to shift the dynamic from combat to collaboration, reducing stress and fostering a more productive, positive work environment.

By shifting from a defensive mindset to one of curiosity and understanding, you can turn challenging situations into opportunities for growth, connection, and better teamwork.

Key Takeaways from Mini-Episode #13 ---

• Conflict is normal — combat is a choice.

Conflict simply means priorities are colliding, but workplace "combat" happens when people try to win instead of understand. Leaders who reframe conflict as a diagnostic tool can use it to uncover misalignment and strengthen collaboration.

• Preparation prevents emotional escalation

Before difficult conversations, the PREP framework helps leaders stay grounded:

P – Plan the conversation

R – Review the three root causes of conflict

E – Emotion check (HALT: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired)

P – Perfect aggressive listening

• Aggressive listening lowers defenses and unlocks solutions

Aggressive listening isn't hostile—it means relentlessly seeking to understand the other person. Using the RPSA sequence (Reflect, Probe, Support, Advise) helps people feel heard first, which dramatically increases the likelihood that solutions will be accepted.

Episode Transcript:

[00:01:36] : "Conflict is inevitable, but combat is optional."

[00:04:26] : "Listening aggressively means you are focused on hearing the other person in a determined, deeply energetic way—with zero agenda other than understanding."

[00:07:41] : "If you try to solve the problem before the person feels heard, the solution will be rejected no matter how logical it is."

[00:11:36] : "When a person's motivators don't align with their role, even the most capable employees will eventually disengage."

[00:17:26] : "There was never a time when I would not have chosen some settlement by reason rather than the sword."

Episode Preview:

In this episode of the Wake Up Eager Workforce Podcast, host Suzie Price explores one of the most expensive and frustrating challenges leaders face: bad hires. Rather than blaming poor performance on skills or experience, Suzie explains why most hiring failures come down to one overlooked factor — fit.

Suzie introduces the Spark Framework for Hiring, Onboarding, and Coaching, a refined approach built from over two decades of leadership consulting and thousands of Trimetrix assessments. She explains how defining Superior Performance Attributes before interviews begin helps leaders identify the behaviors, motivators, and decision-making patterns truly required for success in a role.

Throughout the episode, Suzie breaks down why traditional interviews often fail. Leaders tend to rely on chemistry, intuition, or résumé strength, which can unintentionally introduce bias and lead to costly hiring mistakes. Spark Job Kits provide a structured alternative by giving leaders clear role benchmarks, competency-based interview questions, and objective ways to compare candidates.

But the framework doesn't stop at hiring. Suzie explains how the same tools become a leadership roadmap for onboarding, coaching, and long-term development, helping leaders guide employees toward stronger performance while reducing unnecessary friction and turnover.

Suzie also highlights the real cost of getting hiring wrong — which can reach one and a half to eight times a person's salary when factoring in lost productivity, team disruption, and leadership time. With clearer expectations and better alignment, leaders can protect their culture, strengthen their teams, and make hiring decisions with confidence.

If you want to reduce hiring risk, build stronger teams, and create a workplace where people wake up eager to contribute every day, this episode will give you practical insights to start defining success before you hire.

Read the transcript for Episode 145 below and discover how the Spark Framework and Trimetrix assessments can help leaders hire with clarity, coach with intention, and build teams that truly fit the work they're meant to do.

Top Takeaways of Episode #145 ---

• Most Hiring Failures Are Preventable

89% of bad hires fail because of fit — not skill — and when leaders clearly define role-aligned attributes before interviewing, they dramatically reduce misalignment, bias, and preventable turnover.

• Structure Reduces Risk

Using competency-based, role-aligned interview questions and objective debrief tools shifts hiring from instinct-driven to intentional — reducing the financial risk of turnover that can cost 1.5 to 8 times a person's salary.

• Hiring Is the Beginning — Not the End

When the same defined attributes are used for onboarding and coaching, leaders create consistency, accountability, and growth — building high-commitment, low-drama teams across the entire employee lifecycle.

Hiring mistakes rarely happen because someone lacks skill — they happen because the role was never clearly defined in the first place.

In this episode of the Wake Up Eager Workforce Podcast, Suzie Price introduces the Spark Framework for Hiring, Onboarding, and Coaching, a practical system designed to help leaders reduce bad hires by defining success before the interview process even begins.

Suzie explains why 89% of bad hires fail due to poor fit rather than lack of ability, and how tools like Spark Job Kits and Trimetrix assessments help leaders identify the behavioral patterns, motivators, and personal attributes required for success in a role. Instead of relying on intuition, chemistry, or résumé strength alone, leaders can use structured interview questions and clear role benchmarks to make confident hiring decisions.

The conversation also explores how these same frameworks extend beyond hiring into onboarding, coaching, and long-term performance development, giving leaders a practical roadmap to strengthen teams, reduce turnover, and create a more aligned workplace culture.

This episode is a practical guide for leaders who want to hire with clarity, coach with intention, and build teams that wake up eager to contribute every day.

In this episode:

[00:01:07] Suzie Price: "Most bad hires don't fail because of skill. They fail because of fit. When the role's attributes aren't clearly defined, alignment is never established and friction begins."

[00:02:40] Suzie Price: "A résumé can look perfect and an interview can feel strong, but if motivational drives, personal skills, and behavioral energy don't match the role, friction will show up."

[00:07:32] Suzie Price: "The core principle is defining success before you hire, not after. When success is clear, hiring shifts from emotional and undefined to intentional and aligned."

[00:12:27] Suzie Price: "The cost of a bad hire can range from one and a half to eight times a person's salary, which is why clarity in hiring decisions matters so much."

[00:19:43] Suzie Price: "Spark doesn't replace your judgment. It sharpens it, clarifies it, and helps protect your culture, your team's momentum, and your bottom line."

[00:21:05] Suzie Price: "People wake up eager when their strengths align with what the job requires every day. When that alignment exists, both leaders and teams thrive."

Episode Preview:

In this episode of the Wake Up Eager Workforce podcast, host Suzie Price sits down with functional medicine and longevity expert Dr. Nicole Williams to explore what it truly means to age younger — not cosmetically, but physiologically and strategically.

Suzie and Dr. Nicole dive into the powerful connection between nervous system regulation, muscle preservation, energy management, and high performance leadership. They challenge the common belief that aging automatically means slowing down, gaining weight, or accepting burnout. Instead, they unpack how aging younger is about waking up eager in your body — with clarity, strength, and resilience.

You'll learn why managing your energy is more important than managing your time, how stress adaptation silently leads to burnout, and why recovery is a non-negotiable for sustainable success. Dr. Nicole shares practical tools like box breathing, exercise snacking, and structured recovery planning — strategies used by professional athletes that high performers can apply in their own lives.

Together, they make the case that your health is not a side project — it is a strategic asset. When your nervous system is regulated and your body is functioning well, your leadership capacity expands. When it's not, everything feels harder.

If you're ready to increase your resilience, sharpen your focus, build strength that lasts, and wake up eager in your body and your life, this episode is for you.

Read the transcript for Episode 144 below and discover how to build longevity, regulate your nervous system, and lead from a place of strength and clarity every single day.

Top Takeaways of Episode #144 ---

• Aging younger is about capacity — not appearance. Longevity means waking up energized, thinking clearly, maintaining muscle mass, and building a nervous system that can adapt to stress.
• Muscle, sleep, and blood sugar stability are foundational. 80% of long-term results come from nutrition, recovery, and consistent habits — not grinding harder in the gym.
• Health is a strategic asset. Data-driven assessments — whether for your body or your leadership — provide clarity that prevents "shots in the dark" and accelerates real progress.

Aging younger isn't about chasing cosmetics — it's about building a body that can carry your leadership for decades.

In this episode of the Wake Up Eager Workforce Podcast, Suzie Price sits down with Dr. Nicole Williams, functional medicine and longevity expert, to explore what it truly means to age with strength, clarity, and resilience.

Rather than focusing on surface-level fixes, this conversation dives into the foundations of sustainable vitality: nervous system regulation, muscle as a longevity organ, energy optimization, and data-driven health strategies tailored for high performers. Dr. Nicole shares her personal journey into functional medicine, why quick prescriptions often miss the root cause, and how leaders can shift from reactive healthcare to proactive longevity.

This is a grounded, practical discussion for driven professionals who want more than a longer life — they want the energy, stability, and physical resilience to lead well for years to come.

In this episode:

[00:10:02] Dr. Nicole Williams: "Aging younger should really be a feeling in your body. Once that feeling is there, the external has a way of catching up. It's about how your body functions more than how it looks."

[00:18:29] Dr. Nicole Williams: "A wake up eager body isn't about perfection or extreme routines. It's about having a regulated nervous system so your body supports your leadership capacity instead of draining it."

[00:20:19] Dr. Nicole Williams: "People become stress adapted. The body will tolerate it for a while, but when the load becomes too much, your ability to adapt drops — and that's when burnout begins."

[00:25:18] Dr. Nicole Williams: "High performers manage their energy, not just their time. When you feel energized, you can accomplish more in less time."

[01:03:02] Suzie Price: "Your health is a strategic asset for your life."

Episode Preview:

In this episode of the Wake Up Eager Workforce podcast, host Suzie Price dives into the powerful connection between human-centered leadership and artificial intelligence. Drawing from her extensive experience in leadership development, Suzie explores how AI amplifies human behavior, making clear that AI is not a replacement for human leadership, but a tool to elevate it.

You'll learn how to integrate AI into your leadership approach while maintaining emotional intelligence, clarity, and values. Suzie highlights the importance of understanding the human side of AI—how it mirrors the user's priorities and decision-making. She emphasizes that AI amplifies both strengths and gaps, urging leaders to set the right foundations before implementing AI.

Through insightful examples and reflections, Suzie discusses how AI can be used to enhance job fit, culture fit, and long-term success, while also making the case that emotional intelligence and judgment are the true drivers of leadership success in the age of AI.

If you're ready to lead with more clarity, increase your influence, and use AI to amplify your leadership rather than replace it, this episode is for you.

Read the transcript for Episode 143 below and discover how to blend AI and human-centered leadership to fuel your success and wake up eager every day.

Top Takeaways of Episode #143 ---

• AI doesn't replace leadership — it demands better leadership.
• Technology moves fast; human capability develops through intention and reinforcement.
• Job fit and culture fit are strategic advantages, not "soft skills."
• The most successful organizations invest in both systems and self-awareness.

AI isn't replacing leadership — it's raising the bar.

In this episode of the Wake Up Eager Workforce Podcast, Suzie Price sits down with Gregory Woods to explore how AI and human behavior must work together to elevate leadership effectiveness, job fit, and workplace culture.

Rather than focusing on tools alone, this conversation centers on what truly determines success in an AI-enabled world: self-awareness, judgment, motivation, and human-centered skills. Gregory shares why AI acts as an amplifier of who we already are — strengthening strong systems and exposing weak ones — and why organizations that ignore the human side of AI do so at their own risk.

This is a thoughtful, practical discussion for leaders who want to adopt AI without losing trust, culture, or clarity.

In this episode:

[00:16:01] Suzie Price: "AI can elevate leadership but only if we make space for self-awareness, clarity, and human-centered skills. It's the human behind the tech that matters."

[00:18:41] Gregory Woods: "Leaders must set clear values and define emotional intelligence in AI. Without those guiding principles, AI can go astray and cause organizational challenges."

[00:23:20] Suzie Price: "Leadership isn't about being perfect—it's about showing up consistently with the values, judgment, and clarity that allow AI to enhance your decision-making."

[00:27:28] Gregory Woods: "Effective leaders know that technology, like AI, needs to be thoughtfully integrated into a well-established foundation. It's the humans who set the direction."

[00:43:52] Suzie Price: "Using assessments like SPARK™ helps leaders see the whole person. It's about looking beyond the resume and understanding who someone is at their core."

Episode Preview:

In this episode of the Wake Up Eager Workforce podcast, host Suzie Price explores the power of self-awareness and emotional freedom in leadership. Drawing from her years of experience in leadership development and insights from TriMetrix and Axiology, Suzie explains how understanding your intrinsic motivators can transform your approach to leadership, creating clarity and consistency in your actions.

You'll learn how to align your personal values with your leadership approach, how to make accountability a natural, energizing force, and why small, deliberate steps lead to big, lasting results. Whether you're leading a team or working on personal growth, this episode offers actionable tools to help you show up with purpose, build stronger habits, and lead with intention.

Suzie also shares real-life examples of leaders and teams who have embraced inside-out leadership, using these insights to move from reactivity to intentionality. The episode emphasizes the importance of emotional freedom and clarity in leadership and how these principles can drive sustainable success.

If you're ready to lead with more confidence, increase your impact, and fuel your success by aligning your actions with what truly motivates you, this episode is for you.

Read the transcript for Episode 142 below and discover how to fuel your leadership, build accountability, and wake up eager every day.

Takeaways of Episode #142 ---

• If you're not consciously driving, stress takes the wheel. Leadership begins when you take the driver's seat.
• Small daily alignment builds big momentum—and turns setbacks into fresh starts.
• You are not your emotions—but emotional freedom comes from listening to them.
• Accountability isn't blame—it's clarity that fuels self-motivation.
• Always give more than you get and leave more than you take.
• People first is your strongest bet—and the real win is balance across all three dimensions.

In this episode:

[00:05:06] Suzie Price: "Accountability becomes effortless when it aligns with your motivators. When you understand what drives you, follow-through feels less like discipline and more like momentum."

[00:16:39] Suzie Price: "Emotional freedom in leadership starts when you stop fighting your feelings and begin listening to them. They're tools, not obstacles."

[00:22:49] Suzie Price: "Leadership isn't about doing it all perfectly, it's about doing it with clarity. Once you've gained clarity, it'll give you the energy to keep moving forward."

[00:27:49] Suzie Price: "Small daily actions lead to big shifts. The 1% Solution, even when done in small doses, compounds over time and builds real momentum."

[00:50:00] Suzie Price: "A brand becomes truly powerful when it moves from transaction to legacy. You create lasting trust by aligning your values and purpose with your actions."

Episode Preview:

In this episode of the Wake Up Eager Workforce podcast, host Suzie Price dives into the powerful connection between personal accountability and your intrinsic motivators. Drawing on her extensive experience in leadership development and the science of motivators, Suzie uncovers how understanding what drives you can transform your approach to accountability, making follow-through feel natural and energizing.

You'll learn how to harness your top motivators to create momentum in your actions, stay consistent, and unlock greater results in your personal and professional life. Whether you're a leader seeking to enhance your influence or someone striving to cultivate better habits, this episode offers actionable insights and strategies to fuel your success.

Suzie also shares real-life stories, reflections on the power of motivators, and practical advice to help you embrace accountability, create meaningful growth, and lead with intention.

If you're ready to align your actions with what truly energizes you, build stronger accountability habits, and start creating consistent success—this episode is for you.

Read the transcript for Episode 141 below and discover how to fuel your accountability and wake up eager every day.

Takeaways of Episode #141 ---

• Accountability gets easier when it aligns with your motivators When you understand what energizes you, follow-through stops feeling like discipline and starts feeling like momentum. "When you're in your flow, discipline becomes desire." — Unknown
• Every motivator has a strength… and a blind spot Each motivator can support or sabotage follow-through. "Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom." — Aristotle
• Accountability grows through small, deliberate steps Your Accountability Action Plan anchors wins, opportunities, motivator connections, and measurable next steps. "Small disciplines repeated with consistency lead to great achievements gained slowly over time." — John C. Maxwell

In this episode:

[00:04:10] Suzie Price: "Accountability becomes effortless when it aligns with your motivators. When you understand what drives you, follow-through feels less like discipline and more like momentum."

[00:10:48] Suzie Price: "Every motivator has a strength and a blind spot. Recognizing this helps you leverage what energizes you and manage what might drain your energy."

[00:22:49] Suzie Price: "Small, deliberate steps lead to big results. It's not about making huge leaps—it's about consistent actions that align with what truly motivates you."

[00:26:08] Suzie Price: "True accountability comes from self-awareness. When you understand your motivators, you can create actionable plans that lead to consistent success."

[00:32:03] Suzie Price: "Leadership is about creating space for reflection and ownership. When we lead with clarity and intention, we inspire accountability in ourselves and others."

[00:00:00] Suzie : welcome to this wake up eager workforce podcast mini episode where we share in 10 minutes or less our monthly article from LinkedIn in a new audio format courtesy of our AI co host as they walk through the article and share additional insights exclusively for you I am Susie Price I'm your podcast host and the founder of Priceless Professional Development and whether you're listening to one of our long form episodes or something like this mini episode our focus is always to provide everything to you related to helping employees in your organization build a high commitment low drama wake up eager workforce we're focused on creating great hiring creating great teams helping leaders and individuals wake up eager you can find all of our episodes long form and short form at Wake Up Eager workforce.com and you can subscribe anywhere that you get your podcasts so let me know if you have any questions if you are enjoying these mini episodes or any of our other episodes or if I can help you in any way you can find me at Susie at priceless professional. com Susie Price on LinkedIn and of course our contact information if you go to wake up eager workforce.com thanks for tuning in appreciate you very much and go out and have a wake up eager kind of day take care

[00:01:24] A1 : let's be honest for a second for all the hype the holiday season can sometimes feel less like a break and more like a high stakes pressure cooker hey definitely you're juggling family dynamics trying to manage expectations and scrambling to find that one perfect gift that just screams I get you

[00:01:40] A2 : that annual stress is so real and you know the sources we've gathered suggest that a lot of these problems from gift anxiety to arguments over who does what they're really just rooted in miscommunication

[00:01:53] A1 : exactly so our mission today is to do a deep dive into an insight that could be your shortcut to a well a much smoother season

[00:02:02] A2 : we're gonna look at a really effective framework for understanding people it's called the d I s C model

[00:02:06] A1 : and this isn't about you know diagnosing your relatives it's just about observing behavior and understanding what actually motivates them especially when things get stressful

[00:02:15] A2 : precisely d I s C stands for Dominance Influence Steadiness and compliance it's just a smart way to cateagerrize the kinds of behaviors and communication styles you can actually see

[00:02:26] A1 : but what I think is so great about our source material is that it turns this the psychological insight into really practical advice it does yeah the research pulls out five specific tips from the model that tackle the biggest holiday stressors we're talking about strategies for delegating tasks activities to lower stress what gifts to actually wrap up

[00:02:46] A2 : and even how to praise someone in a way that lands and crucially what pitfalls to avoid so you can keep the peace

[00:02:53] A1 : think of this deep dive as like getting the instruction manual for every important person in your life

[00:02:59] A2 : a guide to making sure that when you give a gift or just have a conversation you're actually meeting one of their core needs

[00:03:06] A1 : okay so before we jump into the applications we really need to slow down and nail the foundation here right I think a common mistake is just memorizing the letter we need to understand the you know the engine that's driving each style why are they acting that way

[00:03:19] A2 : that's the most critical piece yeah if you only look at the behavior you completely miss the motivation we're defining these styles by what they seek out and what they're you know fundamentally trying to avoid okay so let's start let's start with the high d for dominance you'll see them as assertive fast paced competitive the go getter the go getter exactly yeah but their core driver is results and control they value competence achievement so their communication needs to be direct quick you want the bottom line they want the bottom line if you start rambling you're wasting their time and that is a major stress trigger for them

[00:03:56] A1 : so when my uncle cuts me off mid sentence it's not necessarily him being rude it's efficiency

[00:04:01] A2 : it's efficiency he's trying to control the pace of the conversation right to get to the result faster exactly okay next up the high eye the influence style they're the friendly enthusiastic fast paced ones who love change the life of the party totally they're fundamentally people focused their driver is recognition and social acceptance

[00:04:22] A1 : so they need to feel liked

[00:04:23] A2 : they need to feel included and valued by the group their core need is simple let them talk let them share their stories they thrive on that positive attention

[00:04:33] A1 : right that's the person who shows up and immediately starts working the room they're literally recharging by being the center of attention even for a moment

[00:04:40] A2 : that's it now moving to the other half we find the high s the steadiness style they're warm patient and they keep a much steadier calmer pace their core driver is security and stability

[00:04:55] A1 : okay so they're the opposite of the high eye in some ways

[00:04:58] A2 : in many ways yes they are loyal but they're deeply resistant to sudden change or conflict they crave harmony

[00:05:05] A1 : so what does that mean for communication it means their primary need is for assurance they need to know that everyone is getting along and that the plan is secure that sounds like a wonderful quality but a chaotic holiday morning must be incredibly stressful for them

[00:05:18] A2 : oh it's brutal they're the human stabilizer but they can burn out so fast if the environment gets too frantic

[00:05:24] A1 : okay and the last one finally

[00:05:25] A2 : the high C compliance they are reserved neat cautious and intensely task focused so their core driver is accuracy and quality they're analytical precise when you communicate with a high C you have to use logic detail all the necessary details because their biggest fear is being wrong or producing something that's substandard

[00:05:49] A1 : wow okay so understanding these core drivers control recognition security and accuracy that's the lens we need to apply to these five tips

[00:05:59] A2 : exactly so let's look at the first two practical applications they're all about activity how you involve people in holiday tasks and how they really unwind

[00:06:07] A1 : this is about meeting their need for either what autonomy or connection that's a great way to put it so let's call the first one the gift of delegation it's giving them a project they'll actually enjoy because it fits their style not just dumping a chore on them

[00:06:20] A2 : right for the dominant style if you want them engaged give them something where they can move fast be in charge and make their own decisions

[00:06:26] A1 : okay so what would that look like

[00:06:28] A2 : the sources strongly suggest getting them involved in competitive family games they need to lead they need to win

[00:06:35] A1 : but what if I say give my high d relative a task like planning the seating chart and I don't agree with what they come up with

[00:06:43] A2 : ah that's where you have to be careful

[00:06:45] A1 : they don't handle interference well

[00:06:47] A2 : not at all the source material implies that for a d style you delegate the outcome not the process give them the goal a perfect seating chart and then you have to step back

[00:06:57] A1 : if I undermine their control

[00:06:59] A2 : you raise their stress levels through the roof yeah immediately got it

[00:07:03] A1 : what about the high eye

[00:07:04] A2 : the influence style should be your social coordinator your cheerleader ask them to help gather people manage the mood but remember they're driver recognition recognition so you have to make time to listen to their ideas and verbally share your appreciation for them loudly

[00:07:22] A1 : they don't want to quite thank you they want applause pretty much

[00:07:24] A2 : now the steady style needs a very different approach if you ask for help you have to provide assurances review instructions clearly and check in often but gently you draw them out right you draw them out by asking personal relational questions their task should be something that builds harmony not creates pressure

[00:07:43] A1 : okay and the C the compliance style

[00:07:46] A2 : this is your detail expert tasks that need focus precision they love that like what assembling that complex new toy managing the high tech home theater or figuring out the you know the detailed instructions for a new gourmet recipe they find calm in complexity

[00:08:03] A1 : that makes so much sense you're giving them the gift of certainty structure exactly now let's pivot to the second activity tip yeah how they should distress when the holiday chaos really hits

[00:08:14] A2 : okay for the dominant style distressing means vigorous competitive activity it's about physically burning off that need for control so like flag football flag football an intense workout or even really goal oriented activities like intense targeted shopping

[00:08:29] A1 : and the influence style they need people

[00:08:31] A2 : they need social replenishment absolutely yeah socializing people oriented fun thing charades organizing a big family video call or even just engaging heavily on social media

[00:08:41] A1 : they recharge by connecting

[00:08:43] A2 : and being affirmed by others okay the steadiness style though needs nothing time they need comfort quiet hot baths predictable yard work or just quiet low demand time with their immediate family

[00:08:56] A1 : they're recovering from the emotional labor of keeping everyone happy

[00:09:00] A2 : 100% yeah and finally the compliance style destresses through thinking activities and alone time so a good book or a complicated strategy video game a personal computer project chess they calm their anxiety about accuracy by immersing themselves in structure and analysis

[00:09:17] A1 : okay let's talk shopping this is where the rubber meets the road for a lot of people listening it is we're connecting those core drivers directly to what you actually wrap up so if I know my relative's DIC style what should I put under the tree

[00:09:30] A2 : the source material has some very clear guidelines on this for the high d dominance remember they value action control and winning

[00:09:39] A1 : so the gift has to mean something

[00:09:41] A2 : it has to signify status or efficiency this means high quality practical things favorite sports gear a really nice executive pen or books and movies about leadership winners business strategy

[00:09:54] A1 : you're not just buying them a book you're buying them access access to mastery or success

[00:10:00] A2 : that's it that is the key psychological difference right there

[00:10:03] A1 : wow okay what about the high I

[00:10:04] A2 : for the high eye the influence style you need something flashy fun and conversational they value experiences they can talk about later

[00:10:12] A1 : ah so not just an object

[00:10:14] A2 : right take him to a high profile restaurant a concert a movie if it is a tangible item it should be unique memorable like that suggestion of a fancy light up pen or books about psychology motivating themes quote books they can share

[00:10:28] A1 : it's the gift that keeps on giving because they get to use it to create conversation and get more recognition

[00:10:33] A2 : exactly now the high s the steadiness style is driven by security family tradition

[00:10:38] A1 : so their gifts should feel like a warm hug

[00:10:41] A2 : yes comfort home relaxation gardening tools high quality bath soaps candles a personalized photo frame perfect and books books and magazines should focus on family home life gardening anything that reinforces their inner circle and stability

[00:10:56] A1 : simple comforting and traditional so no sudden surprising gadgets for the s style

[00:11:01] A2 : probably not a good idea and finally the high C the compliance style right

[00:11:07] A1 : they need quality

[00:11:08] A2 : because they're driven by accuracy and quality the gift has to be technical precise or highly informational so we're talking high quality tools for cooking or a craft digital gadgets that help with data or precision

[00:11:22] A1 : or non fiction books

[00:11:24] A2 : yes on topics like economics consumer reports the law or complex do it yourself projects

[00:11:30] A1 : I think this is a really crucial point if you buy a high C a digital gadget it can't just be trendy no it has to be functional and high quality it has to allow them to measure or analyze something a vague gift certificate might feel like a low effort gift to them

[00:11:44] A2 : which violates their quality standards absolutely no the gift has to serve their need for accuracy and control if it's a complex they see it as a welcome challenge

[00:11:52] A1 : but if it's flimsy or poorly defined

[00:11:55] A2 : they see it as a waste of time and understanding that helps you avoid that you know that painful polite oh thank you it's certainly something reaction okay so moving beyond material things

[00:12:07] A1 : the relational stuff how we talk to people what we avoid that's arguably the most potent stress reliever there is absolutely so let's look at the gift of genuine praise how do we acknowledge them for who they are

[00:12:22] A2 : tip No. 4 is all about affirmation for the dominant style the praise has to focus on their accomplishments their agency

[00:12:30] A1 : so you'd say something like

[00:12:32] A2 : acknowledge their decisiveness their willingness to take risks their action their ability to just get results

[00:12:38] A1 : okay and for the influence style

[00:12:40] A2 : praise their spirit and their people skills tell them they're motivating trusting enthusiastic that you appreciate their optimism and all the amazing ideas they come up with

[00:12:48] A1 : they need to be recognized for the positive emotional wake they leave behind them

[00:12:52] A2 : that's a perfect way to put it the steadiness style on the other hand needs to hear that their role as the stabilizer

[00:12:59] A1 : is valued so you praise their calm

[00:13:01] A2 : praise their patience their calm their loyalty their sensitivity to what other people need acknowledge their acceptance of others especially when there's chaos all around

[00:13:10] A1 : and the compliance style you praise their rigor

[00:13:13] A2 : you praise their rigor their analytical thinking their focus on quality and accuracy their thoroughness their planning you're praising the process not just the product

[00:13:22] A1 : this brings us to the final tip tip 5 which might be the most critical stress reducer of all the things that drive each style absolutely nuts

[00:13:33] A2 : the emotional landmine

[00:13:34] A1 : yeah we need to know where they're buried

[00:13:36] A2 : from the dominant style the biggest stresses are loss of control having to go slow wasting their time and uh indecisiveness from other people

[00:13:45] A1 : so if you're planning something with them stick to the schedule

[00:13:47] A2 : stick to a clear timeline and move quickly for the influence style they suffer greatly from social rejection curtness they hate being dismissed hate it

[00:13:56] A1 : and they dislike having too little time to interact they are allergic to skepticism and negativity if they tell a story even if some of the details are a bit inflated resist the urge to correct them in public

[00:14:08] A2 : yes because to them it feels like a personal social rejection

[00:14:13] A1 : that is a tough one during family dinners resisting the urge to fact check an anecdote

[00:14:18] A2 : it is but it's essential for keeping their spirits up for the steadiness style you have to avoid rushing them forcing fast decisions and sudden unprepared changes and conflict they are profoundly stressed by conflict if you need to make a big change you have to give them a long runway to adjust

[00:14:35] A1 : so should I just never bring up a contentious topic like politics even if I know they have strong opinions

[00:14:42] A2 : the sources suggest avoiding topics that are likely to create loud open conflict while they might hold firm opinions forcing them into a debate violates their primary need for harmony

[00:14:53] A1 : you're basically asking them to stress themselves out for your benefit

[00:14:56] A2 : exactly and finally the compliance style they are stressed by criticism of their work a lack of a plan inconsistency

[00:15:04] A1 : and being too touchy feely

[00:15:06] A2 : yes and that last point doesn't mean they don't have emotions it just means they prefer decisions and interactions to be guided by facts and logic uh huh not unstructured sentimentality

[00:15:15] A1 : they need rational expectations not some surprise intervention built on vague feelings that clarity is absolutely key hashtag outro

[00:15:25] A2 : so by using the dis framework the source material just offers this really powerful lens we stop guessing what people want and we start observing what they need

[00:15:35] A1 : whether that need is for control recognition security or accuracy

[00:15:39] A2 : right and reducing holiday stress is really just about respecting that fundamental need in every single interaction

[00:15:45] A1 : so what does this all mean for you as you navigate the next few weeks it means you can switch from a one size fits all approach to a customized 1 mm hmm you now have a framework to align your gifts your projects your conversations with the natural tendencies of your loved ones and that makes the whole experience less about obligation and more about authentic connection

[00:16:04] A2 : and as you start to apply this remember the new ones people are often combinations of these styles that's a great point so consider the internal conflict what happens when someone is say highly compliant meaning they hate inconsistency and demand structure but also highly dominant meaning they want to move fast and take risks

[00:16:23] A1 : hmm so how respecting one of their needs might clash with another one exactly

[00:16:27] A2 : how might respecting their need for speed sometimes clash with their need for accuracy and planning analyzing those internal tensions that's really the next level of insight that can transform how you relate to those closest to you this holiday season

[00:16:41] Suzie : thanks for joining us for this wake up eager Workforce Podcast mini episode in just a few minutes we hope you've walked away with a fresh insight a reminder that helps you create more energy focus and connection at work you can find every episode long form and mini at Wake Up Eager workforce.com or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and I'd love to hear your feedback on these mini episodes or how I can support you and your team reach me anytime at Priceless professional.com until then here's to building your wake up eager workforce and wake up eager life thanks for tuning in

Episode Preview:

In this episode of the Wake Up Eager Workforce podcast, host Suzie Price shares her personal journey of overcoming burnout and reclaiming her energy and focus with powerful tools to help you get out of a funk. Drawing from her expertise and years of coaching leaders, Suzie introduces a fresh, science-backed approach to realign your life with clarity and purpose.

Through the lens of TriMetrix and Axiology, Suzie breaks down simple, practical tools that have helped her and countless others transform from stress and overwhelm to energy and alignment. She explains the 1% Solution (Tune In Time) as an easy-to-implement method that resets your mind in just 15 minutes a day, and how consistency can lead to 91 hours of mental calm over the course of the year.

Whether you're feeling burnt out, stuck, or simply need a mental reset, this episode provides a clear roadmap to help you overcome those moments and wake up eager every day.

Read the transcript for Episode 140 below and discover how these tools can transform your mindset, boost your energy, and put you back in control of your life.

Takeaways of Episode #133 ---

• Tune In Time, or TNT Fifteen minutes a day — just one percent of your time — can completely change your energy and focus. It's the pause that resets your perspective and builds 91 hours of calm clarity over the year. As author Greg McKeown reminds us, "If you don't prioritize your life, someone else will." Those 15 minutes are your daily investment in calm, focus, and ownership of your time.
• The Intentional Focus Method You can't always control what happens around you, but you can control what you focus on. When you shift from frustration to appreciation, you change your entire emotional landscape — and the results that follow. As Abraham-Hicks says, "You have the ability to focus, and therefore, the ability to choose the way you feel."
• Self-mastery is true power Every time you choose to focus on what's going well, to plan your six must-do's, or to give yourself grace, you strengthen your alignment. Because the most powerful leaders — and the most peaceful people — are the ones who know how to manage their own focus.As Lao Tzu reminds us, "Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power."

In this episode:

[00:05:20] Suzie Price: "Getting out of a funk isn't about waiting for motivation to strike. It's about building small, intentional actions that create momentum."

[00:17:43] Suzie Price: "The 1% Solution isn't about big, overnight changes. It's about dedicating 15 minutes a day to realign your focus and reduce stress over time."

[00:29:10] Suzie Price: "Self-leadership is the key to everything. When we lead ourselves well, we're better equipped to show up for others and create the life we truly desire."

[00:33:33] Suzie Price: "Transformation happens in the small moments. It's those consistent actions that, over time, create the biggest results in our lives."