The Rutledge Perspective Podcast

This is a special podcast episode. It is the beginning of my birthday month, AND it is the 6 month anniversary of my first ever radio show! As I thought about those milestones, I wanted to stretch my introverted empathetic self and let you all get to know me a bit better (EEK!). And it reminded me that allowing people into who you are – even a little – goes a long way towards building trust which...

Janice Hale-Harris knows what it means to just "go with the flow" in your career. She started in corporate, "retired" to spend time with family, returned to corporate in a different industry, left to become an entrepreneur (the hardest work she's ever done), and returned to corporate. She "climbed the ladder." But, she knows we are more than our titles, not every dollar is worth pursuing and leade...

Allison has mastered the pivot! She has 20+ years in marketing strategy and business. She built a 7 figure consulting firm, an online platform to help business owners understand true drivers of revenue generation. She recently took on a new corporate role to continue learning, growing, building and serving. Allison isn't afraid to make the hard decisions and take calculated risks. And THAT, not ju...

Bibi Goldstein built a business that truly spoke to a need that wasn't being met. Through that recognition, she was able to put in place an organization that is YOUR team. Although virtual, she has created a culture and a confidence with her folks that rivals any brick and mortar and translates into the service her clients receive. And, she's learned some important stuff like the realization that...

They say luck is when preparation means opportunity. And, but in order to be prepared, you have to have knowledge, experience and/or expertise.  Unfortunately, many leaders often sideline their own learning as they focus intently on managing their teams of building their businesses. Taking the time to expand horizons and learn from others is not only good practice, but it is fundamental to prepara...

There is no more powerful tool for creating success than mindset. The challenge is ensuring that you have the right mindset. That isn't always as easy as it sounds. In order to have the right mindset, you have to be able to recognize and acknowledge when you have the wrong one.   About the Host: Laurel Rutledge's human-centered approach, empathy, and understanding of individual needs make her a to...

The late Representative John Lewis said that we should not be afraid to make good trouble. Necessary trouble. And while he was talking about big systemic issues, this can also be applied to businesses and corporations or any professional setting. Speaking truth to power is critical to changing the culture to be one that is inclusive and equitable. Being willing to "make trouble" is part of that tr...

Leaders whose words and actions don't align erode trust and compromise their ability to lead effectively. Full Stop. Whether you are actually leading a team or organization or you are an individual contributor, the ability to build trust is critical to success. People will listen to your words – and words definitely matter. But they will BELIEVE your actions. What do your actions say about you?  ...

The value of Diversity has been proven time and again; but it is the act of INCLUSION that drives the real value. True leaders have the Courage to be inclusive of those people and perspectives that are different than theirs – even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular. This is an encore episode. Originally aired on April 8, 2020.   About the Host: Laurel Rutledge's human-centered approach, empathy...

We all get really excited when we finally decide to follow our passion, but it is important to start with a plan. Kelli Bradley's talks are clear on this. When you don't know the answers, don't be afraid to ask. It's important to hire team and delegate, but don't abdicate all of your responsibility or be afraid to remove someone from your business who is no longer a fit. Some of the same holds tru...

Tune into the frequency where the people are who need to hear your message. Keri Murphy talks about how it is more important now than ever before to show up, consistently, with a clear message. And one of, if not the best way, to deliver that message is through video. And when you get out of ego and into your heart – because it's not about you – you will see your impact and influence grow; and alo...

True curiosity is a tool leaders use to move their organizations forward. By being truly curious about your people, their perspectives and their ideas, you bring for the best your organization has to offer. However, it takes courage to be curious. Why? Because the answers to the questions we ask are not always the answers we want. But TRUE leaders understand that all information is valuable inform...

Aleta has spent her entire career at the same organization, but it's not what you think. She has been able to carve out a career that is both broad and deep because she was (1) open to opportunity (2) worked to prove her capability/reliability and (3) had both supporters and sponsors working on her behalf. Listen to her guidance on how to build a career where you are…if you are willing to say 'yes...

Kyra's story is about taking charge of a situation and her life, to build a successful company and a life that reflects her beliefs. Not only does she run a successful non-profit, but her consulting firm, The Kyra Company, is seen as a top partner aligning people and processes for sustainable profitability. She understands the importance of having a clear business strategy, but more importantly, h...

As her bio states, Sharon Smith-Akinsanya is truly a force of nature. She took chances, made pivots and kept moving forward no matter what was happening. And, most critically, she understands that it is the relationships you build along the way that assist you when you need them most. As she calls it, "the power of a 'million dollar rolodex'." But truly authentic relationships require work and a w...

Lanier Robertson is a Senior HR Executive with one of the largest chemical companies in the world. But if you had asked her even 3 years ago if this is where she saw herself, her answer would have been no. Lanier understands that you have to be flexible and adaptable as you build your career. As she says, "it's not always about vertical movement, but those lateral moves that build the experience n...

The stories we tell ourselves about ourselves impact the way we behave and our ultimate success. Our rhetoric forms our thought and our thoughts form our behaviors and our behaviors impact our outcomes. As they say, "what you think, you become." But we have the choice to change our story. To change what we tell ourselves and what we believe. And a CHOICE to believe in our own success and that we d...

When I think of the word "resilient", I think of Lela Panagides. As the President and Founder of Leap Into Leadership and current candidate for City Council in Carlsbad, CA, Lela has faced many challenges and hurdles and won.  Her philosophy is that everything she has seen has brought her to where she is! Having lived in several different countries, worked in corporate, and now running her own bus...

Hang Bower is an experienced Senior Human Resources Executive who, taking her own advice, decided to take a leap into what makes her soul sing: matching great candidates with great companies. You will hear her guidance on being true to yourself when and if you decide to make a move and on how companies can get clearer on the talent they are truly seeking – including having the courage to diversify...

How do you go from a 13-time world record-holding Skydiving Athlete to global People and Profit Strategist and advisor? You get really clear on who you are and what you want! Alana Fulvio did just that and now she helps organizations find and hire the best talent over and over with a clear, focused process. Her candidates know they want the job and are a fit and her organization knows the candidat...

As you progress in your career, what you do becomes somewhat secondary to HOW you do what you do. And as leaders, it is important that you pay attention to the "how" just as much as the "what" when you are building and leading your team. A bad "how" will always negate a good "what."   About the Host: Laurel Rutledge's human-centered approach, empathy, and understanding of individual needs make her...

The value of Diversity has been proven time and again; but it is the act of INCLUSION that drives the real value. True leaders have the Courage to be inclusive of those people and perspectives that are different than theirs – even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular.   About the Host: Laurel Rutledge's human-centered approach, empathy, and understanding of individual needs make her a top-notch p...

In the face of COVID-19, leaders must step up. Calm, clarity, transparency and calculated action are critical to ensuring everyone stays safe and as connected as possible. There will be companies that don't make it and families that lose almost everything. And there will also be many who step up to assist wherever they can in any way that they can. And we need more of those people. Why? Because pe...

This was the first interview I conducted for The Rutledge Perspective a couple of years ago now. Dina Clark embodies what it means to be living and working in your passion. And not just because you like it but because it is fundamental to who you are. Be prepared for her story, because the beginning of her journey has an event that is quite unbelievable, yet in our current environment, not necessa...

Lucy Hutchings Hunt is the CEO and Founder of Systemyzed, Host of Live the Change Podcast and Creator of the Certified Virtual Business Managers course.   And most importantly, she has found a way to live the life she loves doing the work she loves.   The road has not been easy and, as Lucy says, it is not linear. But it is a road worth traveling to pursue that which has been Divinely Downloaded f...