Worthy to Lead

Worthy to Lead

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Worthy to Lead episodes

  • Episode 11: Reduce Stress by Harnessing Your Curiosity - Interview with Pam Aks

    In this episode of the Worthy to Lead podcast, host Kristiana Corona speaks with mindset coach Pam Aks about the importance of developing an unstoppable mindset, especially in times of stress and uncertainty. Pam shares her personal journey from being a people pleaser to embracing her authentic self, emphasizing the role of neuroscience in understanding and overcoming negative self-talk.

    The conversation delves into the significance of mindset in managing stress, the power of neuroplasticity, and practical tools for building resilience. Pam also discusses the importance of self-advocacy in leadership and shares a powerful visualization exercise to illustrate the impact of thoughts on our experiences. They explore the intricate relationship between stress, self-awareness, and emotional regulation, as well as practical strategies for leaders to manage stress and enhance resilience, emphasizing the importance of understanding physical sensations and the body-mind connection. The dialogue highlights the role of curiosity in transforming negative thoughts and reactions, ultimately guiding listeners towards healthier coping mechanisms and self-care practices.

    Takeaways

    • Mindset coaching can help leaders to navigate stress and uncertainty.
    • Negative self-talk can be reframed through self-awareness and mindfulness.
    • Resilience is built by viewing stress as an opportunity for growth.
    • Neuroplasticity allows us to rewire our brains and change behaviors.
    • Our bodies send signals that our brains interpret, influencing our thoughts and reactions.
    • Curiosity can shift our perspective and reduce stress responses.
    • Understanding past experiences can help us rewire our responses to current stressors.
    • Resources Pam Referenced:

      • Ethan Kross - Chatter 
      • Deepak Chopra - “I wonder what my next thought is going to be?”
      • Kelly McGonigal - TEDtalk - How to Make Stress Your Friend
      • Lisa Feldmann Barrett - 7 ½ Lessons About the Brain and other books
      • Breathwrk App

      • Pam Aks' Coaching Business - WhatsWithinU.com

        • Sign up for the Free 7-Day Confidence Building Challenge - training your brain for taking bolder actions. 
        • Vision Lab
        • Small group coaching
        • Confidence Builders e-Course
        • Blog & Other free resources
        • Books: Developing a Confident Mindset, How to Manage Stress & Worry Before It Manages You

        • ----------

          mindset coaching, resilience, neuroscience, stress management, personal transformation, self-talk, neuroplasticity, leadership, self-advocacy, visualization, stress, resilience, mindfulness, self-awareness, leadership, emotional regulation, body-mind connection, breath work, self-care, curiosity

          54 min
        • Episode 10: Eradicating Workplace Toxicity - Interview with Alison Gretz

          In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Alison Gretz, seasoned design executive, leadership coach and trainer (and a good friend of mine for more than 10 years!). We dove deep into the essence of authentic leadership, career exploration, and personal growth. Alison shared incredible insights and actionable tips for becoming not just a better leader, but a more aware and attuned human, which is the ultimate antidote to workplace toxicity.

          Episode Highlights:

          1. Leaning Into Authentic Leadership:

            • One of the core takeaways from my conversation with Alison was the importance of showing up as your authentic self. Authenticity is key to disrupting disempowering behaviors, whether intentional or accidental.
            • Knowing yourself deeply helps you show up better for others and allows you to combat workplace toxicity by being true to who you are.
            • The Career Playground:

              • Alison’s idea of a “career playground” challenges the traditional notion of climbing a straight ladder to success. Instead of focusing solely on vertical growth, there’s immense value in exploring lateral moves, trying new things, and stepping outside of your comfort zone.
              • This approach builds confidence, empathy, and broadens your perspective as a leader. It allows you to better understand other points of view as you evolve in your career.
              • The Importance of Coaching and Reflection:

                • We also discussed the importance of taking intentional moments to pause, reflect, and increase self-awareness. Alison emphasized the need for leaders to “be the CEO of themselves” and to measure success on their own terms, not based on societal expectations.
                • Success should be aligned with who you want to become, and it's important to set goals that resonate with your personal vision.
                • Special Offer for Listeners:

                  • 10% off The Design Leadership Accelerator: Alison has a fantastic cohort starting in less than 2 weeks (deadline is Sept 16th, 2024 to get signed up!) designed specifically for design leaders looking to accelerate their growth. Don’t miss the special discount code WORTHY, exclusively for Worthy to Lead Podcast listeners. Use it to get 10% off when you join Alison’s training on Maven.com. https://maven.com/bydesign/ux-management-accelerator?promoCode=WORTHY
                  • Additional Resources Mentioned:

                    • Alison’s website: designbydesign.co
                      • Good Manager Operating System: https://design-by-design.ck.page/products/good-manager-operating-system
                      • Manager Foundation Training: https://designbydesign.co/manager-fundamentals/ 
                      • Executive & Life Coaching: https://designbydesign.co/coaching/ 
                      • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisongretz/
                        •  

                        Full video episode available on YouTube: 
                        https://youtu.be/idX3KE9C1LA  

                        1 hr 7 min
                      • Episode 9: Mastering the Secrets of Mirroring

                        In this episode, podcast host Kristiana Corona dives deep into the powerful technique of mirroring, a tool used by coaches, therapists, negotiators, and salespeople to build emotional connections and influence others effectively. These techniques are rooted in neuroscience and emotional intelligence, and are simple to use once you become aware of them.

                        Listeners will learn what mirroring is, how it works in the brain, and how it can be used to enhance coaching, negotiation, and sales. Kristiana breaks down four key strategies for implementing mirroring in professional and personal scenarios:

                        1. Building Affinity: Use mirroring to make others feel like you're on the same team, working collaboratively rather than oppositionally.
                        2. Challenging Their Thinking: Subtly prompt others to reconsider their positions and think more deeply, without confrontation.
                        3. Eliminating Doubts and Blockers: Anticipate and address potential concerns upfront, creating a psychologically safe space for discussion.
                        4. Selling the Vision: Mirror the exact thoughts and feelings of your audience to create a compelling and motivating vision of the future.
                        5. Resources:

                          • Download my Mastering the Secrets of Mirroring Cheat Sheet to get everything we talked about in this episode in a quick and easy step-by-step format: https://www.resonantpurpose.com/mirror
                          • Books Mentioned:
                            • Unconscious Branding: How Neuroscience Can Empower (and Inspire) Marketing by Douglas Van Praet
                            • Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
                            • Courses:
                              • Sell From Stage Academy by Colin Boyd
                              • ----

                                Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying this podcast, don't forget to subscribe so that you get all the new episodes as I release them. You can subscribe at worthytoleadpodcast.com/subscribe. 

                                34 min
                              • Episode 8: Leading with Authenticity (Part 2) - Interview with Tim G. Williams

                                This week I share Part 2 of my interview with Tim G. Williams, a senior executive of finance who reached the top levels of leadership at a $17 billion corporation without selling his soul, or his authenticity, to do it.

                                Tim and I met in the graduate program for executive coaching at University of Texas Dallas, and I could tell right away that Tim was a person who leads with heart and wisdom.

                                In today's episode, you'll get to hear more about Tim’s fascinating journey from being a first-time leader at Texas Instruments all the way to VP, Controller, Special Advisor to the CEO, and beyond.

                                Tim shares leadership lessons he learned along the way that helped him become effective at every level and now establish the foundation of his new consultancy and coaching business, Bonafide Leaders.

                                Tim’s philosophy is that you CAN reach the highest levels of leadership while still remaining true to your authentic self and leading with both your head and your heart. 

                                Tune in to hear the rest of Tim’s ✨ amazing leadership journey ✨ and the key strategies and principles he operates by that can help you align with and develop your own authentic leadership style!

                                Resources shared in this episode:

                                • Tim's coaching & consulting business: Bonafide Leaders: https://www.bonafideleaders.com/
                                • Bonafide Leaders Podcast: https://www.bonafideleaders.com/podcast
                                • Digital Leadership Courses: https://www.bonafideleaders.com/courses
                                • Tim's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BonafideTimGWilliams
                                • 58 min
                                • Episode 7: Leading with Authenticity - Interview with Tim G Williams (Part 1)

                                  In Episode 7 & 8, I interview senior finance executive & executive coach, Tim G. Williams, about his journey from humble beginnings to the highest levels of finance for a multi-billion dollar company, and beyond.

                                  Tim’s philosophy is that you CAN reach the highest levels of leadership while still remaining true to your authentic self and leading with both your head and your heart.

                                  In Part 1 of our conversation, Tim shares the impact that basketball, a love of numbers, his mom and his faith had on forming a foundation of excellence and a determination to succeed no matter the challenges he encountered. Tune in for ✨inspiring stories✨ that will uplift you and remind you that anything is possible!

                                  Watch the full video interview on my new YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/gRlebCx72ac

                                  PS. You won’t want to miss next week’s episode (Part 2) where we’ll continue the journey of what got him from being a first-time leader all the way to VP, Controller, Special Advisor to the CEO, and beyond. Stay tuned for more authentic leadership goodness!

                                  Tim's Business Resources:

                                  • Bonafide Leaders website: https://www.bonafideleaders.com/
                                  • Podcast: https://www.bonafideleaders.com/podcast
                                  • Online courses: https://www.bonafideleaders.com/courses
                                  • Tim's Recommendations:

                                    • The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
                                    • Killing Comparison - Nona Jones interview by Ryan Leak

                                    • ......

                                      Want to uplevel how you coach your team & create more impact?
                                      Check out my FREE 15 Minute Coaching Conversation Guide to get started: 
                                      https://www.resonantpurpose.com/download-15-minute-coaching-guide

                                      42 min
                                    • Episode 6: Leading with Presence - Interview with Eric Montag

                                      Have you ever wished you could show up more confidently, calmly and with “leadership presence?” My podcast guest this week, Eric Montag, is a pro at helping connect your mind and your body to the feeling of presence you want to embody - even during the tough, stressful moments! 

                                      We’ll cover topics from bio-hacking your nervous system to rebooting your mindset so that you show up as your best self and help your teams to thrive. 

                                      Eric is a senior leader of product management - a job that requires business savvy, people skills, and the ability to navigate tough tradeoffs. With high stakes decision making as a daily norm, you may be surprised to learn what helps him keep his cool. 

                                      Join us for a fun, purpose-filled conversation that will help you dig deeper into what creates an unshakable presence in the face of daily chaos.  

                                      Find more inspiration and insight from Eric Montag on his YouTube channel:
                                      https://www.youtube.com/@eric_montag 

                                      -----

                                      Looking to improve your coaching skills as a leader?
                                      Get started today and build confidence quickly using my FREE 15 Minute Coaching Conversation Guide. I give you the step-by-step questions you can ask to start empowering your team in new ways. Download the guide here: https://www.resonantpurpose.com/pl/2148366486 

                                      1 hr 8 min
                                    • Episode 5: Taking Guilt-Free Time Off

                                      In this episode of the Worthy to Lead podcast, Kristiana Corona explores the challenges leaders face in truly disconnecting from work during vacations and the negative impact this has on both themselves and their teams. She shares her personal experiences and outlines five strategies to help leaders take guilt-free, rejuvenating time off.

                                      The Importance of Unplugging:
                                      According to a recent study by Movchan Agency, highlighted on Forbes.com, 47% of workers feel guilty for taking a vacation this summer. And 1 in 4 workers admit that their leaders demand that they work on vacation. What kind of expectations are we, as leaders, setting for our teams with our own behaviors while out of the office (ex. responding to emails when we should be unplugged)?

                                      Leaders set the tone for the time-off culture of the team. By strategically planning and taking vacations, leaders not only recharge themselves but also empower their teams to handle responsibilities effectively, fostering a culture that values well-being and productivity.

                                      We'll discuss five key strategies for how to take a guilt-free vacation and help your team to step up in your absence. This is the perfect opportunity to rethink how you show up as a role model and culture leader, even when you're out.

                                      Resources:

                                      • Movchan Agency study highlighted on Forbes.com: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2024/06/08/47-of-workers-feel-guilty-for-taking-a-vacation-this-summer-study-finds/ 
                                      • Subscribe to get updated every time I release a new episode at: worthytoleadpodcast.com/subscribe.
                                      • If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with other leaders. Thanks for your support!

                                        21 min
                                      • Episode 4: How Helping Too Much Is Keeping Your Team Stuck

                                        In this episode of the Worthy to Lead podcast, we dive into a common leadership trap: the urge to always come to the rescue, also known as White Knight Syndrome. This episode will help you understand why over-helping can be detrimental to your team's growth and how to shift your approach to truly empower them.

                                        What We’ll Cover:

                                        • The cycle of over-helping and its impact on your team and yourself.
                                        • Recognizing signals that you might be falling into the White Knight trap.
                                        • Strategies to support your team without always stepping in to save the day.
                                        • Discover why letting your team take the lead in solving their own challenges fosters self-efficacy and leads to greater long-term success.

                                          Key Moments:

                                          • The science behind why helping feels so good.
                                          • Practical advice on how to identify when to let your team solve their own problems.
                                          • Role-playing scenarios to build your team's confidence and problem-solving skills.
                                          • Shifting your leadership identity from rescuer to visionary.
                                          • Reflective Questions:

                                            • When do you feel the need to rescue, and why?
                                            • How can you inspire and challenge your team without giving all the answers? (hint: coaching is the perfect way to do this!)
                                            • What leadership qualities can you focus on to empower your team more effectively
                                            • Resources:

                                              • 15-Minute Coaching Guide: http://www.worthytoleadpodcast.com/15minutecoaching
                                              • Harvard Business Review article on leadership identity: https://hbr.org/2020/02/how-to-overcome-your-obsession-with-helping-others 

                                              • Subscribe and Share:
                                                If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe at https://www.worthytoleadpodcast.com/subscribe and share it with fellow leaders who could benefit from this insight. Thank you for listening!

                                                27 min
                                              • Episode 3: Worthiness & Finding Your Voice as a Public Speaker - An Interview with Dr. Seema Desai

                                                June 20, 2024

                                                Worthiness & Finding Your Voice as a Public Speaker - An Interview with Dr. Seema Desai

                                                In this episode, Kristiana Corona interviews Dr. Seema Desai, a full-time leadership coach, trainer and motivational speaker, about her journey to becoming a confident public speaker. Seema shares personal stories and insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, dealing with fear, and finding her voice while balancing cultural expectations of her intersecting identities as a South Asian, Texan, wife, mother and female professional.

                                                Seema was raised by hard-working Indian immigrant parents to think that “success” meant being a doctor, making good money, and being married with kids. She checked off all those boxes, but somehow still felt unfulfilled and stuck. As Seema would say, "I had sold myself a version of success that wasn’t mine."

                                                After coming to this realization, she made a courageous pivot and began a healing journey through yoga, mindfulness, and professional coaching. Join us to hear all about her journey and how it led her to truly find her deep, fulfilling inner purpose as a transformational success coach. 

                                                Finding her voice as a public speaker

                                                Growing up in a more traditional patriarchal culture where women's voices were often suppressed, Seema learned to stay quiet to avoid ridicule and conflict. Over time, Seema learned to take small, consistent steps to develop her voice. By learning to befriend fear, develop interoception and use visualization techniques she was able to connect to her purpose with conviction and speak with confidence to any audience.

                                                Seema is now a professional coach, public speaker and trainer who travels the country training other leaders to improve their speaking skills. She is also the host of the podcast, Happy and Human, where she uses her voice on a weekly basis to provide encouragement and insights to other hard working, overachieving South Asian professionals. 

                                                -----

                                                You can find more about Seema, her content, trainings and other offerings below:

                                                • Website: https://drseemadesai.com/ 

                                                • Happy & Human Podcast: http://happyandhumanpodcast.com/ 

                                                • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seema-desai-dds/ 

                                                • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.seemadesai/ 

                                                • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090420715279 


                                                  Wellness Retreat:

                                                  Join Seema for a retreat in Austin, TX in October 2024, designed for spiritually conscious, compassionate female leaders looking to step into more confidence and empowerment. You will practice leaning into your authenticity and intuition with her signature blend of yoga, breath work, and coaching techniques; rejuvenate with intentional rest; explore your innate creativity; bond in empowerment circles and eat delicious chef-created vegetarian meals in a beautiful, luxury location in Austin. Learn more about this unique and intimate event at drseemadesai.com/retreat.

                                                  ----

                                                  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Share this episode with anyone who might benefit from Seema’s insights on overcoming fear and building confidence as a public speaker. http://www.worthytoleadpodcast.com/subscribe

                                                  54 min
                                                • Episode 2: Coaching 101 & The 15 Minute Coaching Framework

                                                  June 12, 2024

                                                  Coaching Basics You Can Start Using Today

                                                  Summary: In this episode, Kristiana Corona explores the world of professional coaching, distinguishing it from other leadership techniques like mentoring, teaching, and performance management. She introduces a practical 15-minute coaching framework and shares essential tips for creating an effective coaching environment.

                                                  Key Points:

                                                  1. Introduction to Professional Coaching:

                                                    • Coaching is distinct from therapy, mentoring, teaching, and managing.
                                                    • Focuses on the present and future, helping individuals realize their potential.
                                                    • Differences Between Coaching and Other Leadership Techniques:

                                                      • Therapy: Addresses and helps resolve issues by delving into the past. Coaching differs in that it focuses on the present version of you and helps you make progress towards the future your want for yourself. Note: Coaching is not a replacement for professional therapy or medical advice.
                                                      • Mentoring: Involves sharing personal experiences and advice. Coaching does not share personal experiences or give advice. Rather it relies on the employee's own intuition and creativity to come up with solutions.
                                                      • Teaching/Managing: Provides clear instructions and feedback for specific, near term tasks. Coaching, on the other hand, gives the employee the freedom to explore their own solutions.
                                                      • Performance Management: Requires direct, actionable feedback to meet specific performance goals. Coaching is a good companion to this process after clear expectations about performance improvement have been stated. 
                                                      • When Not to Use Coaching:

                                                        • Employees who are experiencing a high level of distress and are unable to commit to any change (or even experiment with new ideas) would be best served by therapy or employee assistance programs. 
                                                        • Urgent or emergency situations when speed it critical and direct guidance is required.
                                                        • New or junior employees who need specific information to do their job (ex. where to find files, who to talk to find answers, etc)
                                                        • Coaching cannot take the place of clear performance management conversations. In situations where you must be direct and let the employee know that they are not meeting expectations, coaching should be used as a follow-up, not as the primary communication.
                                                        • 15-Minute Coaching Framework:

                                                          • Intro: Ask open-ended questions to set the stage
                                                          • Clarify Focus: Understand the specific problem 
                                                          • Envision Success: Ask questions to visualize a successful outcome 
                                                          • Explore Possibilities: Encourage brainstorming solutions 
                                                          • Define Actions: Help them commit to concrete actions 
                                                          • Wrap-Up: Reflect on the conversation and affirm their efforts 
                                                          • Creating an Effective Coaching Environment:

                                                            • Silence Alerts: Eliminate distractions and do NOT multi-task.
                                                            • Private Space: Ensure conversations are confidential.
                                                            • Avoid Giving Advice: Focus on asking questions and keep an open mind.
                                                            • Non-Judgmental Approach: Be a neutral third party - allow them to explore ideas without judgment. 
                                                            • Express Gratitude: Thank them for their openness and honesty.
                                                            • Wrap up:

                                                              • Embrace coaching (no matter how awkward it feels when you start!) to empower your team and enhance your leadership skills.
                                                              • Stay curious, listen actively, and practice regularly for meaningful change.
                                                              • Resources:

                                                                • 15-Minute Coaching Conversation Framework: Download here
                                                                • Follow Up:

                                                                  • Share your experiences using the framework with me! I'd love to hear how it works for you.
                                                                  • You can also submit questions or scenarios for me to consider covering in future episodes of the podcast.
                                                                  • ----

                                                                    Want to be a podcaster too?

                                                                    Have you ever considered creating your own podcast, but learning to use the technology just felt too complex and overwhelming? If so, I would highly recommend checking out Riverside.fm, which is my recording software of choice. Unlike other complex recording software, it is so easy to learn. Riverside will transcribe the text for you and makes it so simple to remove words and phrases and pauses from the transcript with just the click of a button,

                                                                    just like editing in Microsoft Word. It's free to use anytime, but you may want to test out the pro level, which is what I use. You'll get things like magic audio controls, AI generated show notes, transcriptions in a hundred languages and built -in teleprompters. You can even do high quality video interviews like you were on a zoom call and Riverside will do all the work transcribing it for you, which is such a time saver. So next time you get the urge to reach out and share your message with others,

                                                                    Do not let technology get in the way. Try Riverside.fm for your next project. Learn more

                                                                     

                                                                    Tags: Coaching, Leadership, Mentoring, Teaching, Performance Management, Professional Development, Executive Coaching, Leadership Skills, Team Development.

                                                                    27 min

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