Lead Through Strengths

This Episode's Focus On Strengths Mike Ganino joins us to help you lead through your strengths at work. You'll find this episode especially useful if you manage a team and you're trying to create a better culture at work--one that your customers can feel too. You'll also love this episode if you're fun and you like people who are intelligent and charismatic at the same time. That's Mike! What You'...

This Episode's Focus On Strengths Michael Port joins us to help you lead through your strengths in all of the performances in your corporate life. You'll find this especially useful if you give presentations, if you're interviewing for a job, or if you're delivering a speech in front of others.   What You'll Learn You'll see how working with a performer's mindset will boost your career. Michael sh...

This Episode's Focus On Strengths Ian Altman joined me to bust the myth that you're always selling ideas at work. In this episode, you'll see instead how you should stop trying to persuade and convince. Stop trying to push your solution. Stop focusing on  your  value. And start focusing on  their  problems. Start serving  them from their perspective . What You'll Learn It's only after standing in...

This Episode's Focus On Strengths Jason Treu joined me to chat about using your natural talents to build better relationships at work. He gives lots of ideas for building  real  connections.   What You'll Learn Jason reminds us that business is not the only thing about your life. And he translates it into asking simple questions like, "what do you have planned for this weekend?" Those questions ca...

This Episode's Focus On Strengths Ryan Rhoten joined me to chat about using your natural talents to understand and design your Personal Brand. If you want to have a rockin' career, you need to know what your brand is (you have one whether you tried to or not). And then you can do branding efforts to leverage your personal strengths.   What You'll Learn You'll hear a personal story–how Ryan discove...

This Episode's Focus On Strengths Dorie Clark joined me to chat about using your uniqueness to  Stand Out  at work. If you want to improve your personal brand or  reinvent yourself  at work, this is a must-listen episode of Lead Through Strengths. We talked about applying your greatest strengths at work to help you stand out and boost your leadership cache.     What You'll Learn How to use a perso...

This Episode's Question I have a question about finding a mentor. I hear consistently that it's an exceptional tool for professional development. I'm not sure where to find one...and if I do find one, how can I make sure they're a good fit? What You'll Learn - How to ask a mentor for their time without offending them. - A way of thinking about mentor "fit" that feels the same way you decide whethe...

This episode's question How do I  make the leap from an operational role to a sales role?   What you'll learn - That you're not alone if this seems like a tough career conundrum.  - How you can make a major career change (even into an entirely new field) without having to start over in an entry level position.  - Ways that very small or very large companies can present great opportunities to switc...

This Episode's Question My question is about a letter of introduction. My wife is applying for a licensed social work position for a school district. The application has a spot for a letter of introduction. This is the first time either of us have come across a requirement like that. So...what  is  it? Then, should it be written by you or by a third party? And should you submit only  one  like you...

This Episode's Question Hi. This is Ivy Portwood. My question is: how do I keep learning on the job? And where do I find the most relevant sources of information to contribute to both my current work and my longer-term career aspirations? Thanks.  What You'll Learn In The Audio - The two types of skills you should be thinking about. Hint: it's not 100% about technical and functional skills. - 4 id...

This Episode's Question Hi. I have a question for you on resume composition. Now that I've been in the workforce for awhile and have various roles under my belt, I'm struggling with what to include and exclude on my resume. How do you balance  including  roles and experiences you know are relevant (and you know show the right expertise)...and balance that with keeping it short enough that someone...

This Episode's Question I really feel like I'm ready for a job promotion, to take on more responsibilities, and to build more skills. But I'm not sure how to have that conversation with my manager. What You'll Learn - How to make  YOU  the obvious answer when your leadership team considers people for new roles, open positions, or new projects. - A simple concept about  asking  for things, and how...

This Episode's Question I'm in the petroleum industry. I have a two part question. One is - how would you go about finding six figure job openings?  And then from there, how would you approach a very cookie cutter job description? They seem so rigid - as if no one would fit the qualities, skills, and experiences they're asking for in that description.   What You'll Learn - How job descriptions get...

This episode's question I'm looking for a new job. And I'm considering a couple of different kinds of jobs. So do I need a separate resume for each type of job that I'm applying for?   What you'll learn - How to stop wasting your time submitting resumes to recruiters and hiring managers who throw it in the trash or overlook your awesomeness. - How to get noticed by talent management "bots" - the a...

This episode's question I'm an artist, and I've been in art just about all of my life. My question has to do with getting happier doing what I do. I'm in a company that offers a good 401(k) and a decent salary and standard hours, yet I don't have any cool projects to work on.   I have friends in markets like L.A. and New York who are working on cool projects in TV, movies, and video games. I have...

This episode's question My boss makes rules and doesn't enforce them. My teammates ignore them and roll in with a lazy wave in the morning. It is unfair and is getting distracting - what should I do?   What you'll learn How this situation could actually be good for you How the environment is keeping you from stepping your game up How people can lose credibility and trust at work (listen up leaders...

This episode's question How do I make networking events more effective, make an impression, and spend time with those who will make a difference? What you'll learn - Why too many networking event participants look like they belong in Las Vegas. - How simply being curious and making friends can boost your career. - How to make yourself more approachable. - Having a keep-in-touch plan, and executing...

This episode's question is from Lindsay. She asks, "How important is an MBA if I want to join the 100k club?"   What you'll learn - Why you should think really hard about it before enrolling...especially if you're doing it just to get the letters on your resume - How to earn 100k with no degree at all - 3 tips that will pay off more than getting an MBA with a 4.0 GPA - How to maximize your experie...

If you're tired of schlepping your tired, uninspired-self to the office, you need to take action. In this "what's in it for you" episode of the Lead Through Strengths podcast, you'll find out what to expect from us.   This episode is all about sharing with you the vibe of the show, what to expect, and how I got to you as your host.   First, let's talk about you Do you do your daily commute, slug i...