Accelerate Your Performance

To deliver exceptional service we need to embrace vulnerability and courage. When leaders model this behavior in organizations, employees are encouraged to take risks and know that it's okay to fail. Today, Jon Malone , Director and CEO of Northwestern Illinois Association discusses his organization's commitment to service and how vulnerability impacts trust and accountability on his tea...

Quint Studer has joined us as a guest on our podcast throughout 2020, sharing his stories and experiences from his career that we can learn and grow from. In this episode, we have collected highlights from these interviews and we revisit some of Quint's top tips and advice for leaders who want to be their best.  This episode answers questions such as: What is really getting in our way? How ca...

Is your workplace culture vibrant? Is it a place where people want to stay and work? Is it a place that attracts top talent? In this episode, Quint Studer is back to share more about his experience in education and healthcare, and his current focus -- communities. Listen as our host Dr. Janet Pilcher asks Quint about lessons learned in his work to make communities vibrant places to live work and p...

How did Quint advance his career from a High School Special Education Teacher to a Hospital President to a Founder and CEO? In this episode, we continue Quint Studer’s story from episode #122 and hear about one of his major life transitions-- a key moment when he took a risk and followed his heart. Listen as Quint and Janet discuss the part of his journey that fueled the creation for some of his g...

2020 has been a psychologically challenging year for leaders and employees across all organizations. At the same time, disruption can be our greatest innovator, and we've all learned important lessons from this year that will stick with us. In this episode, Ocean Springs School District Superintendent, Dr. Bonita Coleman and Janet discuss balancing the burden of keeping people safe with the r...

We all want to make a difference in our work. Whatever the path maybe that has brought us to this point in our careers, our experiences along the way are valuable and have shaped us into who we are. In this episode, we take a look at Quint Studer’s path—from his childhood to his journey in education and healthcare. Listen as our host Dr. Janet Pilcher asks Quint about his journey, stories about th...

How do we speak our truth, while deepening our connection with others? Executive leader coach and author, Terre Short joins us to discuss more mindful, communication that comes from the heart. In episode 120 Janet and Quint discussed Terre’s book The Words We Choose: Your Guide to How and Why Words Matter . Today, listen as Terre shares tools from her book focused on how we can elevate our communi...

Words help us get where we want to go. Our words can make others feel better, or worse. Our words can diffuse difficult situations, or escalate them. This is why effective communication is so vital in every workplace. In this episode, listen as Quint Studer and our host Dr. Janet Pilcher discuss what leaders should avoid when it comes to communicating, and examples of ways words can be used effect...

Hurricane Sally recently impacted our local area in Pensacola, leaving thousands with damage, flooding, and even the loss of an essential bridge between our communities. But what left the greatest impression on our host, Janet Pilcher was the small, yet powerful acts of thoughtfulness that emerged among the mess. Striking acts of thoughtfulness were not only seen within our team but across our cit...

How can our teams reach the goals we set out to accomplish? What does it mean for our teams to be successful? Using the right metrics to track progress and engaging in conversations to problem-solve are keys to helping us get there. In this episode, listen as our host Janet Pilcher discusses tools and tactics to help our teams reach our goals and be successful. This episode addresses questions, su...

When we think of micromanaging, we typically think of it as a negative thing. But the reality is, extra supervision and coaching are sometimes necessary before some individuals are ready to leave the nest. In today's episode, Quint Studer and Janet dive into the topic—discussing what micromanaging is, when it’s necessary, and how leaders can communicate effectively with employees who may need...

2020 has intensified the need for a partnership to exist between teachers and parents. While parents are appreciating the role of teacher now more than ever, today's guest explains, the role of learning coach has always belonged to parents. In today's episode, listen as Dr. Erica Karr and Janet discuss practical tips that will help leaders build parent confidence and support for students...

What kind of impact does the energy we bring to work have on others? There are three things leaders will want to avoid in order to inspire positive attitudes and productivity on their teams. In today's episode, Quint Studer and Janet discuss seemingly harmless, yet dangerous patterns of thinking that can be destructive to our organizations. Listen as we share practical tips that will help us...

" Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity ." — Nat Turner That’s how our guest, Leader Coach Dr. JoAnn Sternke started today’s episode. Due to uncertainty and a rapidly changing external environment, leaders are being bombarded with questions. It's critical for us to respond with messages that are well-framed to enhance clarity, build trust, and reduce anxiety...

We all have preconceived notions of what a CEO should look like, or act like. But the truth is, the best leaders have a variety of qualities and no two are the same. There is one thing successful leaders have in common: they are true to themselves. We have to know who we are as leaders, and most importantly, we have to know who we are not. In this episode, listen as Quint Studer and our host Dr. J...

Feeling depleted is something many of us have probably experienced at some point during 2020. Maybe you’ve heard others you work with say they feel tired or burnt out. Can you relate? In the midst of COVID-19, a Presidential election, and racial tensions we face an ambiguous loss. We are not in control. There have been drastic changes to our way of life and what was familiar to us. In this episode...

It’s not easy when employees leave. Sometimes people leave to advance their careers in another organization. Sometimes they leave because we are forced to make layoffs. Other times, it may be because it's time to let a low-performer go. Whatever the reason, people are watching how leaders treat those who exit. In this episode, our Host Janet Pilcher and Quint Studer discuss how we can support...

We've finally reached the start of a new school semester and with that comes the execution of new plans. On today's episode, Studer Education Coach Dr. Melissa Matarazzo , and Studer Education Coach Dr. KK Owen , join Janet to discuss their perspective around returning to learn based on their experiences with school leaders across the country. While it will be essential to build confiden...

At the beginning of any academic year, students, families, and school personnel experience an array of emotions. However we all know by now, 2020 has come with a unique set of challenges and emotions to manage. Today, Principal MaryJo Raczkowski-Shannon, describes the excitement students and teachers are feeling during their first week of re-opening Hunt Elementary School . In this episode, Janet...

It seems right now there are no easy decisions. It's uncomfortable for us as leaders to be living in a place of uncertainty. But as today's guest explains, leadership isn't comfortable. When faced with a crossroads of choosing character over comfort, most leaders will say they choose character however, subconsciously we are often choosing comfort. In order to create better communiti...

When Teachers, Principals, and Superintendents work together, every child has the best chance to be prepared for their future. In this episode, we hear a story that testifies the powerful role school personnel play in students’ success. Enga McClendon, a former teacher at N.B. Cook Elementary School , shares how two students overcame personal challenges and went on to graduate. Studer Education Le...

As we start to welcome students back to school, leaders are focused on how to help ease the anxieties of students and families. Dr. Michelle Rodriguez and her team at Pajaro Valley Unified School District have built systems and processes to do just that. This school district exemplifies how a heart service can help lead to swift, decisive action. Listen as Michelle and Janet discuss how a strong c...

Some leaders may find themselves agonizing over decisions that will impact students, families, and communities this fall. This is a time where there are no easy choices or decisions. Yet, when we collaborate with others, we can help ease the weight and also discover victories worth celebrating. In this episode, Dr. Tim Dilg, Superintendent of Valley Park School District in Missouri, shares how the...

School leaders are facing multiple angles ahead of the fall semester. Strategies for instruction, how to screen students, and manage transportation are just some of the decisions being made right now as leaders plan for multiple scenarios amid uncertainty. Today’s guest represents a school district planning for four scenarios ahead of reentry this fall. Dr. Matt Hillmann, Superintendent of Northfi...

People may come to work for a paycheck, but they’re motivated to work where they feel valued. As we're working with others, overcoming obstacles we've never seen before, we must remember to recognize our people. Studer Group Flame Award winner, Paige Bindi, joins Janet on today’s episode to discuss what recognizing success means for employees and why it’s an important practice for leader...