The Hard Skills

Ever felt like you’re working nonstop but still falling short? This episode cracks open the myth of busyness and builds a bold new definition of real productivity — one that actually holds up in today’s complex, chaotic work world. Because endurance in leadership isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what matters, for the long haul. Imagine this: You’re checking every box, attending every meet...

What happens when diplomacy becomes avoidance and truth-telling becomes backlash? In this raw solo episode, Dr. Mira Brancu shares two very real, very different stories that led her to rethink how—and when—we speak up. If you've ever struggled to find the right words at the right time (or said nothing at all), this one’s for you. In this candid and timely episode, Dr. Mira Brancu explores the...

What are the common elements required to lead when you work with global or international teams?  Because leadership is a social construct, it is influenced by social norms that drive how we define what a leader is, what characteristics we expect of them, and how we expect them to appear. However, there is one common element: all leaders must create a thriving environment for employees and by natur...

Stress and burnout are rampant in today's incredibly uncertain and constantly changing business landscape. How can leaders protect themselves and continue to thrive in the face of adversity? In this episode, you will learn the Endurance Leader four-part framework to help you build your mental, physical, and interpersonal longevity, and get practical tips to help you embed these philosophies an...

How can we address and recover from crisis? We must first learn to spot it well before it gets out of hand, then have the right resources to recover. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: Recognizing that crisis can happen at any time and preparing for it is a sign of sophisticated leadership. In this episode you will learn: - The most common types of crises to land on the doorsteps of leaders -- and how to spot a...

How can we create healthy workplaces? Sometimes the best way to learn is through other people's stories about how they navigated organizational culture, structures, and leadership approaches that inspire safer and more creative workplaces. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: In her book, What Your Comfort Costs Us, Dr. Gabriela Alcalde uses storytelling to invite us to learn about the experiences of women of...

Providing performance feedback is one of the most challenging tasks leaders face. Feedback often sparks frustration and fear for both leaders and their teams. Why? Because there is a disconnect between what leaders think they are communicating and what employees receive. It's rooted in neuroscience and psychology research that we don't always apply effectively in the moment.  EPISODE SUMMA...

What are 7 great mistakes leaders make that we can see happening right before our eyes? How do you avoid them? We'll share insider secrets from 1000 executive coaches - This podcast episode will be the first time these research findings are shared in public! WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: Dr. Underhill, a thought leader in the field of executive coaching, has spent years researching executive coaching t...

Ever feel like workplace politics favors extroverts? Learn three powerful strategies that turn thoughtful leadership into a strategic advantage—and why careful observation beats being the loudest voice in the room. In this episode you will learn three powerful strategies that turn thoughtful leadership into a strategic advantage—and why careful observation beats being the loudest voice in the room...

We want leaders to do the right thing when tested, and we want and believe we will rise to the challenge when the moment presents itself. But the current way we learn how to act ethically in those critical moments doesn't always translate or cause us to think we can do it effectively and confidently. Why not? How can we better prepare ourselves and our leaders when the moment arises? This is t...

What if I told you there is one simple solution to have fewer and shorter meetings at work, increase the effectiveness of teams and organizations, and reduce conflict? It's deeper listening and we'll be exploring how to do that on this episode.  WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: In this episode you will learn the four biggest listening barriers in the workplace, the 5 levels of deep listening, and the...

How does it feel to be in a space where everyone offers belonging to themselves and others? In this episode, we will learn about Dr. Otito's Belonging Framework. Belonging is a universal human need, yet not everyone feels like they belong, even when they should. What leads to belonging and non-belonging? Dr. Otitio's framework will discuss environmental and personal factors to foster and p...

In this episode, we explore how love, compassion, playfulness, visualization, meditation, and stillness can be healing spiritual practices that gird resiliency.  The Hard Skills is hosted by TalkRadio.nyc, a global live Podcasting Station focused on Empowering, Inspiring, Uplifting, and Educating our audiences and importantly, offsetting the fear and negativity that is so common in traditional pro...

Are you sitting on a goldmine of skills, experience, and connections… but still treating it like loose change? Let’s be real—if you’ve spent years climbing the corporate ladder, leading teams, and solving problems, you’ve built serious Professional Equity. But are you cashing in on it, or just letting it collect dust? In this episode, we’ll break down how to strategically leverage your expertise,...

In this episode, we'll take a deep dive into the unseen wounds we carry—those moments when something inside just doesn’t feel right. We’re talking about moral injury, a struggle that goes beyond physical or emotional pain. Whether it's from a difficult decision, a betrayal of values, or witnessing something that shook you to your core, moral injury can leave a lasting impact. ​WHAT YOU WIL...

In this episode, Dr. Brancu begins by sharing two leader scenarios - one in which the leader felt stuck and unable to take action and a contrasting one where a leader felt empowered to take action. She will explore differences between feeling empowered vs disempowered and then provide a 3-Part solution: Part 1: Identifying How You Want To Show Up - Includes five mechanisms: reflect, temper respons...

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: What if you could actually figure out what people want of you in a way that would help you become more successful professionally and in your personal life? The greatest challenge to that is how different each person's reality contributes to confusion, misunderstandings, conflict, and missed opportunities. In this episode, we'll learn how to break into those insights. ...

In this session, we'll delve into how cultural and identity orientations shape workplace behavior and impact job and team fit. Gain fresh insights into how cultural attributes influence workflow, team collaboration, and decision-making. By understanding these dynamics, you can build a team that aligns with your workplace culture goals and ambitions.  We will touch on issues such as: - How cult...

Do you only give performance feedback once a year as a “feedback sandwich” or even avoid it all together? Are you holding back important positive and critical feedback from team members? If so, you and your team are likely underperforming. Learn science-backed ways to provide effective, constructive employee feedback so it lands well and elevates your performance and that of your team.  WHAT YOU W...

Join Dr Sohee, the mindset expert, best-selling author, and leadership coach as she discusses how you can overcome the professional anxieties that disrupt your peace and hold you back. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: Decision-making dilemmas, Feelings of overwhelm, fear of the unknown - we've all experienced these challenges as leaders and women sometimes experience these more often due to unhelpful scri...

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: Sponsorship is the game-changer for career growth, but what makes it so powerful? And how can it go awry? In this episode, we explore how sponsorship differs from mentorship, the unique barriers women face in securing sponsors, and the critical role men play as allies and advocates. That’s what we will be delving into on this episode.  *** ABOUT OUR GUEST: Dr. Linda Lawrence,...

Listeners will gain insights around navigating change and how to set boundaries, prep your people for change, and provide effective feedback. Listeners will also be provided with access to a free resource: a checklist for evaluating the readiness for feedback giving within a given situation.  If you are a seasoned leader who is facing a critical transition who must lead your department through, an...

When organizations undergo change and transformation, such as mergers, reorganization, executive transitions, crisis events, or even rebranding, leaders sometimes overlook how aligning leadership, engaging stakeholders, and communicating clearly can be the difference between superficial change and real impact. Why do traditional communication models fail to engage employees in today’s hybrid and d...

​​How do you balance influencing to make an impact with listening to make connection? In this episode, we'll talk with Zachary Ames about multiple frameworks from the Socratic method, current marketing approaches, and storytelling to his framework around giving and receiving feedback.  WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: We often talk about how important it is for leaders to communicate well, gain alignment...

Have you ever wondered when it might be time to leave your job? Or how to keep repeating the same mistakes at work? Set yourself up for success? Make your voice heard? Create a healthy workplace for your team/employees? This episode is the virtual launch party for the "Millennials' Workbook for Navigating Workplace Politics" where we'll interview the co-authors, get a sneak peek in...