Come Rain or Shine

We are tackling another listener question. Megan asked us about making the move into executive leadership. Jody and I are unpacking how to position yourself, the necessary characteristics, and what will set you apart. In this episode, we give practical advice for making it to the "next" level. Did you know leaders have a shortlist? Today, we are explaining how to make sure you are on it. A leader...

For many people we work with, they don't know where they stand. While most have a sense of what they do well, not all know what they can do better. As Jody and I discuss in this episode, one of the lost arts in business today is candidacy. Although we value feedback, we're often reluctant to give it, hence, why creative criticism and affirmation are worth discussion. Even though we may fear a comp...

Jody and I are exploring what it means to be "Action Oriented" and how that can and will set an individual apart, whether in leadership or a support role. What does it mean to be action-oriented? How do urgency, energy, and enthusiasm impact our attitude when it comes to approaching a challenge? As leaders, we know the importance of making decisions, but sometimes unnecessary planning can leave an...

Despite our differences, chances are we can agree that for everything, there is a season – a time to say 'yes' and a time to say 'no'. In business, this decision often intersects with the bottom line. If either answer takes us one step closer to a desired goal, it's only natural to choose accordingly. Yet, as my Disney experience taught me, there's value in saying 'yes' in the moment at the cost o...

John Walsh and I are discussing his new venture and what it takes to be a  Standout . From homelessness and a lack of direction to working his way to an executive at Disney to entrepreneur, John's life experience cultivated an obsession for him: helping students become Standout individuals. But what does it take to stand out? Is it necessary to take risks? In today's episode, we are exploring the...

Jody and I discuss the importance of role modeling and the domino effect it has on culture. For many organizations, morale is secondary to the bottom line. While most admit a strong culture is beneficial, if it doesn't yield positive monetary outcomes, we can be quick to doubt its value. The problem with this thinking is it compartmentalizes culture from everyday relationships. For instance, to be...

I am joined by Tim Chandler, Co-Founder of PurposePlay, who is making the world a better place through gamification. Inspired by a 2018 mission trip to Uganda, Tim and his team created a simulation mobile gaming app called Humango where the objective is to build virtual communities similar to those in third-world countries. Like a nonprofit, the money raised through the app purchases are then used...

For entrepreneurs, Kiirsten May and Alex Varricchio, creative solutions are more than just creative concepts.   As co-owners of UpHouse, a marketing agency dedicated to effective brand strategies, Kiirsten and Alex are committed to innovation through collaboration. Having recently released a new book, The Proximity Paradox, the duo hopes to continuing serving businesses by inspiring ideation throu...

Jody and I are taking a quick look at the importance of Continuous Improvement within an organization. It can be hard to experience what your customer encounters when you view your organization from the position of leadership. Putting yourself in the customer's shoes and experiencing your product from the consumer vantage point will enable you to implement the all-important practice of continuous...

Jody and I discuss the best ways to deal with bad days at work.   Inspired by our recent conversation with Millennial Whisperer, Chris Tuff, there are healthy perspectives we can embrace relative to our jobs. One of them involves the idea 30% of most jobs will not excite our passion while the remaining 70% will. In light of what doesn't appeal, we must recalibrate our focus. After all,  there's di...

Chris Tuff joins the show to discuss his road to success. A Vanderbilt graduate, Chris talks about lessons learned in his early career and how they shaped his path moving forward. An accomplished digital marketer, investor, and business development leader, Chris is not only a pioneer in his field but a voice in tune with emerging generations. In his mind, Millennials aren't the problem; they just...

Today, Jody and I discuss my first book release called How's the Culture in Your Kingdom? Lessons from a Disney Leadership Journey . As I explain, the book dives deep into my experiences at Disney and lessons learned over 26 years of leadership. Some of the chapters cover topics like training, organization vision, how to create a healthy internal culture, and the importance of belonging. Interlace...

Huda Idress joins us today to share her international educational and entrepreneurial journey. Huda was raised in Saudi Arabia by Pakistani parents. She moved to Toronto to pursue her education as an Industrial Engineer.  With a desire to work in health care and have an impact on the world, Huda started down a road that would eventually lead her to create her own company that changed the landscape...

Jody and I discuss the milestone of reaching one-hundred podcasts. While the show has found its stride as of late, the journey to success did not happen overnight. From the start, we had to learn an entirely new rhythm and artform to communicate information. At times, I wondered if I should have stayed at Disney. But now as we progress into a new decade, the script continues to improve. The number...

Illustrator, Vesper Stamper, joins me to discuss her story and views of leadership. An illustrator with over 20 years of experience, Vesper explains her origins as an artist as well as her transition into historical fiction writing. Having illustrated books and covers for multiple artists, she shares how her family life and educational endeavors ultimately helped her find her inner voice. As for s...

No question, the coronavirus has had a huge impact on our economy. From temporary leaves to distance working, if you're listening to this, chances are you've had to adjust in some way. While there have been some benefits, I've been wondering: How can a business maintain its culture when its employees are distant? As Jody and I discuss in this episode, for a healthy work culture to exist at home, t...

Dr. Eric George joins me to discuss his story as well as relational trends in today's economy. A man of many hats, Dr. George has experience across multiple realms. Not only is Dr. George the founder and CEO of ERG Enterprises, Omega Hospital, and the Hand Center of Louisiana in New Orleans, but he is also a venture capitalist, real estate investor, author, and philanthropist. Across each responsi...

Special guest, Jacob Chancelor, joins me to discuss his story as well as a special project he's working on.   A former Disney cruise ship entertainer, Jacob discusses his transition to London where he's now pursuing his master's degree. As part of his final project, Jacob has spent recent months creating and producing a new type of live entertainment. The project involves a show entitled, "The Bar...

Have you ever wondered how to get your 'in' in a company? What qualifies one candidate above another in a given job search?   If so, you're not alone. After all, in a sea of resumes, standing out can seem impossible with many applications desperate for a hook or a lead. But as I've been telling college graduates these days, if you want to help your chances, you must be willing to meet people and t...

Chelsea Brinkley, an entrepreneur and rock star executive assistant, is sharing her journey today. At the age of 29, Chelsea embarked on the journey of remote work after experiencing corporate burn out. As a successful Executive Assistant, Chelsea discovered her organizational strength and ability to set up systems and processes was a service that many entrepreneurs need. Coupling her skillset wit...

Opportunities. It's easy to want them, much harder to chase them. I know when I was younger, there were times I passively wished for certain outcomes hoping they would fall in my lap. I thought if I just positioned myself right, good things would automatically happen. Yet, as I now know, what you plan for is rarely what occurs. If our pursuit of opportunities is chained to our expectations of them...

Cynthia Blackwell of Cynthia Blackwell Consulting joins in to discuss her corporate story and current work.   As a business coach, mentor, and keynote speaker, Cynthia has the unique ability to fuse life and spark ideas with creative business savvy. Tagged "The Rain-Maker" by colleagues and clients, Cynthia's relational approach to people and processes are not only essential for growth but cultura...

When we talk about the coronavirus, we often talk about the negatives and negatives alone. Health concerns, economic trends, first-world convenience issues – clearly it's been a hindrance for many. But the virus has also brought with it some silver linings and surprises.    For instance, I've noticed many furloughed entrepreneurs diversifying their portfolios, developing new products and processes...

In trying times, often the best ideas are the most creative. With many companies suffering due to current health and economic issues, entrepreneurs and business leaders around the world are having to think outside the box to make ends meet.   One of these leaders I've had the privilege of conversing with recently is an innovator employed by the University of Buffalo. In our discussion, we talked a...

One of the hardest aspects of leadership is understanding and resolving conflict. For some leaders, the issue isn't so much the problem itself, but the perception of surrounding context. If conflict isn't necessarily a collision of two opposing views, what is it exactly? Could conflict actually be a good thing?   As I discuss in this episode, conflict can be a valuable tool when approached with ca...