The Rutledge Perspective Podcast

Episode Summary If a goal without a plan is just a wish then the key to goal achievement is the development of a clear strategy. What are you going to do and how are you going to flex along the way when necessary? AND, when are you going to make the time to develop the strategy? Time is not renewable so you can spend it guessing or spend it planning. Maybe at least a little planning is the last pi...

The whole point of reviewing past outcomes is to LEARN what you could have, should have or would have done differently if you'd had different information. It is NOT to turn the evaluation into an opportunity to weaponize mistakes or skill deficiencies. It is also NOT an opportunity to beat yourself up for the mis-steps along your journey. LEADERS take post mortem's as learning and turn coulda woul...

Episode Summary It's not about being fearless. Fear is a necessary survival tactic in assisting us in recognizing and responding to threats. But it doesn't have to rule our thoughts and actions. If we shift our perspective to using fear to inform not as a basis for action, it becomes a powerful tool in our toolbox. Fear is a GOOD thing! About the Host: Laurel Rutledge's human-centered approach, em...

Episode Summary I often wonder why our language is so harsh and so focused on "forcing" or "bootstrapping." Have willpower is warding off the unseen forces of evil…to be dramatic. But why do we talk about willpower and not about positive willINGNESS to do things? That simple shift changes is from an obligation to an active decision and that is powerful! About the Host: Laurel Rutledge's human-cent...

Knowledge. Is. Power. Learning about something does NOT automatically make you that thing. Knowledge is the basis upon which ideas are born and perspectives gained and opinions born. Talking about the hard things doesn't give the hard things more power. In fact it's the opposite. Talking about history – TRUE HISTORY in all its beauty AND ugliness gives is the power to NOT repeat it. Talking about...

Episode Summary Some times you have to break it all the way down in order to build it back up! My guest reached a point where she realized the people most important to here were not getting the best of her. And that was unacceptable. But breaking the deep habits of the cycle are not easy. However, taking her own advice and seeking expert support, she started moving in and with purpose – including...

Episode Summary What does it really mean to be in community? It means serving in a way that can harness collective energy to make a bigger impact. Community is about connection. Communities tend to exist to support and uplift their members and create safe spaces. Communities are where you bring your individual genius unapologetically. Communities are power! About the Host: Laurel Rutledge's human-...

Episode Summary Own your voice. Be still in the silence and listen. Turn regret into action. If they don't introduce you well, re-introduce yourself! And, be sure to tell yourself the truth! And these are just a few of the nuggets Dr. Allana Da Graca shared in this episode. It's all about taking the reins and understanding that what you have done before has actually prepared you for what is next i...

Sometimes, you see the possible outcomes and decide to take action to impact them. That's what my guest did. Graduating during the recession, she started her business as a senior at Spellman College and has never looked back. And here's the kicker – she took action in line with her passion to create the life she wants. Following your passion sounds great, but what are you doing to be good at it so...

When we are not clear on the REAL goal, we are willing to jump at any shiny new opportunity. We take in information without appropriate discernment. What is your REAL goal and do your actions move you towards or away from it. And, by the way, the REAL goal could be a "mini goal" on the way to the ultimate prize. But you gotta take the time to figure out which it is. About the Host: Laurel Rutledge...

This episode from June 2021 captures thoughts and feelings we are still having. And the every present need to be willing to change our perspective! Change is difficult. It's difficult because we get comfortable with the familiar. That doesn't mean the familiar is good, the familiar is just familiar. We know what to expect so we know how to respond. But to get to the exceptional, we have to be will...

Does service always have to "feel good?" and are obligations always bad. Well, there are no absolutes, so on the surface: no. However, how we perceive obligation directly impact when and how we serve and the impact we can make. We keep showing up when we don't really feel like it, but if we keep in mind WHY we are showing up, we can perhaps keep the resentment of obligation at bay. What do you thi...

Know yourself so you can show up confident and clear. Understand that it is NOT unkind to be clear. Know that it is not the decision, it's the solution that is the ultimate goal. Keeping these three things in mind is key to leadership success. Be consistent, be clear and provide solutions. Easy Peasy!

You can count you YOU. And don't let anyone tell you that you can't. Our environments, especially our corporate environments, can often lead us to thinking we are incapable or unintelligent. Worst, case, that we are crazy or unable to discern what is really happening. Corporate gaslighting is a real thing. Well, I'm here to tell you that you are NOT crazy and YOU are your best bet!

We all have days or weeks or MONTHS where we question what we are doing and if we are where we are supposed to be. It's ok. What we also do is often fail to extend the same grace to ourselves that we extend to others. When we need a minute. When we are questioning our purpose. We need time to regroup and reassess with no judgment and with compassion. We need GRACE to be human.

Why is happiness the end goal? Do we REALLY want our family, teams, employees to be "happy" or are we really wanting people to feel safe, supported and valued? Happiness is fleeting and easily impacted by outside things and people. Contentment is long term and deeply rooted in self. I'd argue the latter is the greater pursuit.

Nurturing an idea or a strategy or a person/thing can become smothering. Pushing can become counterproductive. But leaving something alone and allowing it AND YOU to adjust to new information or a new environment can bring amazing results. This is a key part of clarity – knowing the different between letting go and letting rest. You haven't given up, you are just waiting for additional information...

"I think therefore I am." I must wonder because it doesn't seem link thinking about things is very important anymore. The speed at which we move has pushed deep thinking to luxury reserved for very few. But THINKING is critical to doing things that are aligned. It is critical to leadership. It is critical to existence. So why do we do so little of it?

Women's History Month 2022 is in the books and it was AMAZING! Sharing my Village with all of you was an incredible honor! We talked about finding YOUR village, about being discerning about who you have in your village (not everyone is your friend). We talked about having a safe space to just take the mask off. About celebrating each other, empowering each other and standing in our power as women!...

There are few things more powerful or more critical in your career than your posse. They may be part of your personal BOD. They are definitely part of your Village. They are your safe space. They are your mirror. They are your sounding board. If you don't have one, you need to find one. But be discerning. Not everyone is posse material. Dina L. Clark In May 2021, Dina Clark began her role with Ska...

Sometimes you just need to be around black women. The story that black women don't support each other is a myth. The story that we are infinitely strong and resilient is also a lie. Sometimes, you need to lay aside the strength and let go of the resilience and just take a pause. Take off the mask. Take off the armor. And just have a little banana pudding and peach cobbler. And a few adult beverage...

In this second installment of the WHM2022 series, you will meet my Fierce Five! These are the women who came into my life during transitions. High School to College. International grad School. Post grad school work. Big city moves. But there was just something about a shared spirit and a common connection. And, my common connection built their common. Who said women cant be FIERCE and FRIENDLY? Ab...

Launching Women's History Month with a conversation with 4 women who were the first members of my Village. We have known each other since we were a twinkle in our mothers' eye. And this conversation is about how those shared beginnings and shared values built a bond that has been a foundation and support as we have moved through our lives. It's about women supporting women! About the Guests: Natal...

We have not because we ask not. But at some point during our careers, it becomes taboo to ask questions. At least questions to gain clarity or to ask for help. Yet, its that lack of clarity or determination to do it ourselves that can create the very situation we are trying to avoid – failure. So why can't we just ask the question? Let's talk about it! About the Host: Laurel Rutledge's human-cente...

Sometimes what we avoid like the plague is the very thing that hits dead center in our sweet spot. As the first black female CEO of a Technology company in Antigua & Barbuda, Janice carried a certain prestige. But she also carried a perceived availability to her time as a result of the small environment in which she operated. When she made the decision to step down and into her next role, it wasn'...