Together at the Top

In today’s episode of Together at the Top, Co-founder and Executive Coach at Simplified Coach and professional singer/entertainer, Teri Dahlbeck, joins Nick to discuss her life, her work, and the importance of accountability and personal growth in achieving success. Teri shares her personal story of overcoming a difficult childhood and how it has impacted her career as a business coach. She explains how she helps her clients find balance in their personal and professional lives and how therapy helped her understand that her childhood was not normal and that it was not her fault. Nick also shares his perspective on how he holds himself accountable and pushes himself to improve as a coach.

During their conversation, Nick and Teri delve into the concept of "faux anger" and how it relates to working with clients. They discuss the idea of playing a role in service of love, and how it can be used to help clients feel safe and communicate more effectively. The idea of using a neuroscience-based approach to coaching and how it can help clients find deeper meaning and fulfillment in their personal and professional lives is also explored. Together, Nick and Teri offer valuable insights into how being a coach can impact personal growth and development, how accountability can help in achieving success, the importance of authenticity in coaching, and the role that past experiences can play in shaping a coach's approach. Listen in today to this fascinating and instructive conversation and you will be treated to some truly stellar information and advice, including strategies to find the balance between personal and professional life and how to cope with triggers on that journey that we all share - to become better people.

The Finer Details of This Episode:

Quotes:

"If you don't have an accountability partner when you're growing and coaching, you're going to forget it six months from now."

"I value people and relationships above all else. But next is winning, sustainability, and healthy culture."

"My passion and my expertise are helping motivated professionals and businesses find the highest level of confluence of what they want in life and business."

"I need a couple of well-regarded people to tell me, ‘No, that was not a normal childhood and that was really rough.’"

“I wish I had a pill I could take and go, ‘Gee, nothing hurts anymore, and I'm never going to have any more stress and I'm the perfect person.’”

“I'm going to try so hard because I'm very competitive. And if you give me a throwdown of what it is you want as your goals, I'm going to hit them.”

"I mostly go to someone else's party every weekend and act like a crazy person by getting a client's dream party started, then watch it unfold. I have stories."

"Plan for your future. You've learned from the past, plan for your future"

"Live in the now and have a grounding statement of ‘I wonder.’”

Links:

Nick Warner Consulting

Together at the Top on YouTube

Teri's LinkedIn

Nick’s guest on today’s show is District Attorney Jeff Reisig, arguably the most influential public-safety figure in California. He has been a leader in innovation, cultivated bipartisan and multicultural relationships, and been a beacon of consistency and drive in a very tough profession. Jeff kicks off the episode by describing what his job as a DA involves, what he most loves about it, and what he finds most challenging. He then speaks about his dedication to staying above the partisan fray and operating from the middle while bringing innovations to his field, like the introduction of race-blind charging. Jeff then discusses what he looks for in a partner, including a focus on doable goals and a willingness to do things for free, the challenge of attracting and retaining top talent, and the importance of accountability as a leader.

Next, Nick asks Jeff if he sees himself as a disruptor, and while Jeff rejects the term, he does agree that he likes to challenge the status quo and hopes that his legacy as a DA will be as an innovator. He also shares what he thinks he’s gotten better at as a leader since taking office sixteen years ago, including dealing with criticism and disagreement while maintaining good relationships. Jeff then discusses the importance of taking chances, even at the cost of failure, because that’s how major changes happen and victories are won. And finally, he shares the lessons he’s learned about the importance of carving out time for family, what he might do after his tenure as DA ends, and what he’s excited for in the future.

The Finer Details of This Episode:

Quotes:

“People always want to paint me as either too soft or too hard or whatever. But we’ve got a lot done working in the middle. And so I just try to be very intentional about staying focused in areas where I think that we can bring people from the extremes together to move good policy down the road.”

“Criminal justice and criminal justice reform has been at the top of the scorecard for policy issues for over a decade, right? And I’m interested in working with people out there who are committed to try and improve the system without any hard political ideology. Again, just trying to focus on the things that are practical, that are doable, and that make sense.”

“As a law firm, as the DA’s office, as one of California’s fifty-eight prosecutors, we’ve done things first that matter. Like race-blind charging, like putting all of our data up publicly for the people to see it and to analyze it and to criticize and to ask questions. And to hold me accountable.”

“Our successes are easily outnumbered by our failures, a thousand times, right? And that’s part of being an innovator or disrupter, I think, is taking chances. They’re calculated risks.”

“Picking a side isn’t going to help me in a lot of the issues that we’re working on. And I don’t think it necessarily helps a lot of people in the private sector when they pick a side on some of these real hot-button issues, either. I stay focused on the work, on my constituency, on trying to make a difference. And the middle is where I am, it really is where I am. And that’s where the answers are.”

Links:

Nick Warner Consulting

Jeff Reisig Homepage

Together at the Top on YouTube

Anthony Williams comes from humble roots and has earned everything he has achieved. He’s worked at the highest levels of just about every pillar of our democratic society, including the judiciary branch for the California Chief Justice, as Chief of Staff to the State Senate, and as Cabinet Secretary to a governor. He’s also been managing partner of a successful law firm, Director of Government Relations for Boeing, and now Public Policy Director for Amazon. He’s back for a second episode to discuss politics and tolerance in the workplace, how he handles negotiations, and the difference between positive and negative disruption.

Anthony opens the show with his thoughts on our current shift into a digital society and economy, particularly on how our sense of connection seems to be eroding while divisions between individuals are growing. This is something he sees a lot of in the workplace, where the differences between the generations are brought into sharp relief. However, he also says he’s encouraged by people’s increasing willingness to speak up about a lack of tolerance and emphasizes the importance of creating a space where people feel comfortable speaking out. Anthony also speaks about how the power balance between employees and employers is shifting, with remote working becoming normalized and employers finding it more difficult to replace workers, even those with performance issues. Nick then asks some rapid-fire questions of Anthony, including what he looks for in team members and what he avoids, how he handles negotiations, and how young people can catch his attention. And finally, Anthony closes the show by discussing the difference between positive and negative disruptors and why he’s in favor of the former.

The Finer Details of This Episode:

Quotes:

“You really have to provide the space for your folks to feel comfortable raising things and speaking up because it improves the overall environment and improves, you know, people are happy at work or are more productive, they’re contributing more, they’re more bought into the mission. And so you have to create that environment for that to happen.”

“Mistakes are not always fatal. We can pretty much always work our way out of a mistake or situation, or some corrective action can be put in place. I’d rather let people feel that they can make mistakes, not because there’s some reason to not trust them. Maybe they’re taking a risk, right? Maybe, you know, there’s a lot that can be happening there. So you don’t necessarily lose my trust because you made a mistake.”

“I know I hit it right with a person on my team, as an individual and as a member of the team, when they come to me, they say, ‘Here’s the situation. I’ve run into a wall on this, I need your help. Here’s how far I’ve gotten it. Here’s what I’m thinking. What do you think? Is that the right way to think about it?’ That’s one approach. That’s the approach I like.”

“In any negotiation, you’re thinking to yourself, ‘What are they thinking? How are they approaching this?’ and it’s not easy to do it. But with practice and time and preparation, you can start to chip at it and get some idea of what it is that you’re going into and what’s happening on the other side of the table. You’ll be better prepared, if anything, you’ll have some empathy, you’ll have some breakthrough on a human level because you understand where they’re coming from.”

Links:

Nick Warner Consulting

Together at the Top on YouTube

Anthony on Twitter

Anthony on LinkedIn

After taking a long and circuitous road, Max Corcoran is now one of the most important people in the $122 billion American horse industry. As President of the United States Eventing Association, she is a key leader in the sport, with the job of developing young horse-rider talent as a pipeline for the US Olympic and World Games teams. In this episode, she provides practical business and leadership lessons through the unique lens of horse grooming and competing.

Max starts off with an overview of the leadership roles she’s taken in the equestrian world, from grooming international horses to event organization, and her “vagabond” lifestyle traveling around the world. She then shares how an outdoorsy upbringing and childhood love of ice hockey gave way to a brief career in the financial industry before a revelation that money was not her dream led her back to the sports world via a friend who worked with horses. She discusses her rise through the equestrian industry, the connections that helped her progress, and how a good work ethic is essential to getting on in the industry, something the new generation seems to be lacking in their desire for instant success. Relatedly, Max talks about the characteristics she looks for in team members and those she won’t tolerate, including reckless decision-making, a lack of willingness to learn, and an insistence on doing everything alone. Nick then asks Max to discuss her experience with international business travel, and she shares some of the opportunities she’s had to experience other cultures and how she and her partner make their relationship work despite their traveling lifestyles. Max also speaks about how she views the financial rewards of her job, saying that she works so she can live rather than for the money and emphasizing the importance of saving and living within your means. And finally, Max shares some of the things she’s excited about in the future before Nick closes the show with a summary of some of the highlights, from the value of mentorship to the challenge of motivating the unmotivated.

The Finer Details of This Episode:

Quotes:

“One of my favorite movies of all time is the movie Miracle, which is about the 1980 men’s ice hockey team winning. And I love that coach when he says, ‘I don’t necessarily need all the All-Stars. I don’t need all the best players. I need the right players.’ And I love that theory, and I think that is so critically important that everybody has a job, everybody has a place, and you piece that all together, and you’re invincible.”

“People have said the world is led by people who show up, but I guess I continue to show up.”

“It’s a lifestyle with the horses. It’s not a job. It’s not nine-to-five. And you know, I don’t want to poopoo this next generation, but the generation that’s coming through is a little bit difficult because they want everything now. And I think that’s a little bit unfortunate of our social media and technology. Everything’s now. Now, now, now, now, now.”

“When I stand on the podium, it’s not just me. The guys that mow the field that I’m training my horses on, and the people that have done all the hard work, the people that are staying at home to look after the horses that are still there, everybody stands on that podium with them together. You cannot do it by yourself.”

“I work so I can live. I don’t live to work for the money. I know a lot of very unhappy, wealthy people because they haven’t done what their passion is.”

Links:

Nick Warner Consulting

United States Eventing Association

Joining Nick on the podcast today is Dennis Williams, Co-founder of 3 Bridges Consulting, a successful sales and marketing firm specializing in using the power of video to sell. Dennis made the incongruent move from ten years in front of the camera as a sports anchor for CBS in Buffalo, New York, to become the Head of Sales and Marketing for ABC10 in California. In today’s episode, he gets into the weeds about career change and ascension sales, building sales teams, resetting and reinventing yourself, valuable sales tips, and so much more.

First up, Dennis shares the details of his transition from journalism to the business world, how he utilized his experience in broadcasting as a selling point, and the transferable skills he brought to his new career. He also discusses the biggest challenges he faced after switching fields, including dealing with cold calls and building a sales team, and the traits he looks for in salespeople, emphasizing curiosity, competitiveness, and creativity as especially desirable qualities. In particular, Dennis explains that to be a good salesperson, it’s essential to be able to understand the personality you’re selling to, and a curious nature is key to that. He and Nick also discuss what difficult employees tend to have in common, especially a big ego without anything to back it up and the “brilliant jerk,” someone with huge talent but a bad attitude. They then take a sideways move to talk about Dennis’ personal life, including the choices he made to reset and reinvent himself following his divorce, learning to start the day with yes, and switching from big corporate to his own marketing business. And finally, Dennis explains why he’s excited about using video to tell businesses’ stories and how the format can make every potential customer a warm one.

The Finer Details of This Episode:

Quotes:

“We want people that are curious, creative, and competitive. And that’s what a journalist, a really good journalist, has those three characteristics. And if you put those three characteristics together, they’re pretty good at translating into the business world.”

“There’s keys that you can pick up with people so that you know exactly how you need to cater your cadence, your timing, all of the things that you’re doing when you’re sitting across from somebody. And it’s not being phony. It’s not like being an actor. It’s being respectful.”

“Being competitive, being able to speak well, that has nothing to do with your major. That has nothing to do with what you do in undergrad. What it has to do with is what kind of person you become. So I look for that, I look for the human being and what they could be, not what they already were or what they studied. What can this person be? Where can they get to? And that’s kind of how I evaluated talent.”

“I had to reinvent myself again, and I can tell you that I am a stronger and better person for it. It taught me the expression that I’ve introduced to you and a lot of different people that I love, which is ‘Every day is a bonus, and you’ve just got to start at ‘Yes.’”

“If people can be introduced to you, on your website or through social media, by hearing from you, you’ve taken one step right out of the process. And then that call is not cold, it’s warm at that point. That customer is going to be a warm customer because they already know you.”

Links:

Together at the Top

Nick Warner Consulting

3 Bridges Consulting

Troy Parish is the Founder and CEO of FLAGD Golf and Ink Public Sector. In this interview, Troy details how he achieved big corporate success at a young age. He overcame the fear of public speaking and developed his personal brand inside someone else’s business. Troy shares next level sales tips, hazards of alcohol in business, the balance of travel and family, smart networking, and the art of building winning teams. Troy’s zest for life and people make this episode a must listen!

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Guest: Troy Parish | FLAGD Golf and Ink Public Sector

Host: Nick Warner | Nick Warner Consulting

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Thanks to our sponsors:

Shulz Brick & Rogaski

Ships and Trips Travel

Onymous Media, inc.

3 Bridges Consulting

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This podcast is produced by Mr. Thrive Media. Learn more at www.MrThrive.com | IG: @MrThriveMeda

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Suzy Loftus, Global Head of Risk and Operations for social media giant TikTok, showcases her expertise and commitment to her work in this poignant and practical sit down with Nick Warner of Nick Warner Consulting. In this inspiring interview, Suzy describes her work in the realm of academics, politics, team building,law, and parenting. 

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Guest: Suzy Loftus

Host: Nick Warner | Nick Warner Consulting

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Thanks to our sponsors:

Shulz Brick & Rogaski

Ships and Trips Travel

Onymous Media, inc.

3 Bridges Consulting

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This podcast is produced by Mr. Thrive Media. Learn more at www.MrThrive.com | IG: @MrThriveMeda

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick Warner explores lessons in success with his younger brother Ryan Warner. Nick and Ryan go in depth as to what the 16-year rise to host of the NPR radio show Colorado Matters was like. Ryan discusses the experience of working and moving all around the country for industry opportunities and how that led him to understanding himself better. Ryan also allows himself to be vulnerable as he shares his experience as a gay man and how that fits and effects his personal life, and work life as a media star. The fact that he has the best voice in the business is an added bonus!

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Guest: Ryan Warner | Colorado Matters

Host: Nick Warner | Nick Warner Consulting

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Thanks to our sponsors:

Shulz Brick & Rogaski

Ships and Trips Travel

Onymous Media, inc.

3 Bridges Consulting

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This podcast is produced by Mr. Thrive Media. Learn more at www.MrThrive.com | IG: @MrThriveMeda

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recapping on the first 4 episodes, Nick Warner of Nick Warner Consulting invites Chaz Volk of Mr. Thrive Media to join him on an insightful commentary. In this live reaction, Chaz highlights the lessons learned from guests Matt Cate, Scott Budnick, Laura Cole, and Anthony Williams. 

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GUEST: Chaz Volk | Mr. Thrive Media

HOST: Nick Warner | Nick Warner Consulting

Previous Guests:

Matt Cate| Cate Consulting

Scott Budnick | One Community, LLC

Laura Cole | Cole Pro Media

Anthony Williams | LinkedIn: Anthony C. Williams | Twitter @ACalWilliams

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Thanks to our sponsors:

Shulz Brick & Rogaski

Ships and Trips Travel

Onymous Media, inc.

3 Bridges Consulting

---------

This podcast is produced by Mr. Thrive Media. Learn more at www.MrThrive.com | IG: @MrThriveMeda

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether it was advising a governor or senators, managing a law firm, or now leading public policy for Amazon, Anthony Williams always provides leadership, drive and humility to his work. Williams describes how these traits contribute to his success while reflecting on the hardships of childhood and how that brought him here. 

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GUEST: Anthony Williams | LinkedIn: Anthony C. Williams | Twitter @ACalWilliams

HOST: Nick Warner | Nick Warner Consulting

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Thanks to our sponsors:

Shulz Brick & Rogaski

Ships and Trips Travel

Onymous Media, inc.

3 Bridges Consulting

---------

This podcast is produced by Mr. Thrive Media. Learn more at www.MrThrive.com | IG: @MrThriveMeda

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices