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You know going through change in an organization can be difficult. Sometimes, change can feel like complete chaos. Even if it seems like a small change, sometimes it can feel overwhelming. Your productivity plummets and so does your teammates'. Here's the good news. You have the power to create order from the chaos of change. This week's guest, Rachel Berbiglia, is an expert on helping businesses manage change. She shares her best tips on how to recover and maintain your productivity during a period of change. Rachel also teaches you how to help your teammates do the same. You're going to experience change many times throughout your career. Listen to Rachel Berbiglia so you and those you lead are prepared when the next change arrives. Today's Guest Rachel Berbiglia Rachel Berbiglia is consultant, entrepreneur, podcast host, and expert on bringing order to business operations. Her expertise includes successful change management in organizations across a variety of industries.  In addition to her professional accomplishments, Rachel is a self-proclaimed Kansas Ambassador. You'll Learn Why creating order from the chaos of change is a career superpowerThe value of being able to see a high-level vision and all the details required to make that vision a realityHow to avoid a victim mindset when going through changeThe basics of the change curve and its impact on your productivityWhy being "all business" is not always the best approachHow to protect your productivity and your professional reputation when going through a changeWhen you should consider leaving a company because of a change3 Fundamental Career Skills from Today’s Guest 1. Prioritize well Watch out for "fake urgency"! You must be able to separate urgent and important tasks from those that are wasting your time. If you're letting email drag you through the day, you're prioritizing your time incorrectly. 2. See things from the perspective of others It's important to have your own point of view. And, to be able to see things from the perspective of others. Empathy is a valuable career skill. It applies to business insights as well as human emotions. 3. Build relationships and emotional intelligence Emotional intelligence and self-awareness are critical for building meaningful relationships. And, solid relationships are the foundation of successful careers. Links and Resources from this Episode Connect with Rachel Berbiglia on LinkedIn Learn how to manage change with Rachel's free Change Management Curriculum Listen to Rachel's People Move Organizations podcast at PMOCoaching.com Hear my conversation with Rachel on How to Lead Meetings Discover the great state of Kansas on Rachel's Uncovering Kansas podcast See the show notes at GregHarrod.com.

No one wants to attend a bad meeting. And, you definitely don't want to lead a meeting people complain about. Here's the problem. You may not know how to make them better. Don't worry. You're not alone. Many leaders want to make the meetings they lead and attend better. But, they don't know where to start. If that describes you, relax. In less time than you wasted in your last bad meeting, you'll be done with this episode. And, you'll know how to get started creating exceptional meetings. You just need to focus on 3 easy to remember words. They all start with the letter P. You'll Learn 3 keys to creating exceptional meetings Purpose - Know why you're bringing people together for a meeting People - Make sure you have the right people (and only the right people) in your meeting Preparation - Be ready to accomplish the purpose of the meeting with the people you invite Links and Resources from this Episode Connect or follow me on LinkedIn where I post daily on how to create exceptional meetings Learn more about creating exceptional meetings in these blog posts and podcast episodes: How To Use Structure To Effectively Lead Meetings (blog post) How To Unlock The Power To Lead In A Role You Probably Don’t Like (blog post) CMD 033: How To Create An Exceptional Meeting With 7 Steps (podcast episode) CMD 035: How To Lead A Meeting In A Way Most People Won’t Try (podcast episode) See the show notes at GregHarrod.com.

You may feel more comfortable using these 3 words away from work than in your career. That awkwardness you feel is natural. But, it doesn't have to stop you from incorporating 3 powerful words into your work vocabulary to set yourself apart as a leader. A leader who is kind and confident. And, highly effective. In this week's episode, we'll talk about how to be a better leader using 3 awkward words. You'll Learn Why leadership experts recommend being gentle, gracious, and kind to lead teams effectively3 conversation scripts you can use to incorporate these 3 words into your daily workHow to have a positive impact on the people in your organization without feeling awkwardThe power of applying "soft skills" to distinguish yourself as a leader Links and Resources from this Episode Read one of my favorite books on leadership, Gracious Leadership: Lead Like You’ve Never Led Before by Janet Smith Meeks. Get your copy of my free guide, 5 Simple Ways to Lead when You’re Not the “Leader”. Check out the blog post, "How to Lead with Gentleness, Not Fear" by Michael Hyatt, bestselling author and leadership expert. Connect or follow me on LinkedIn where I post daily on how to create exceptional meetings See the show notes at GregHarrod.com.

Krissy Buck knows how to build connections and community. It's what she does best. In her personal life and her career. And, these communities lead to deeper, more meaningful relationships. Relationships with people you can serve and support. They will do the same for you too. If you're building a business, you need these type of relationships for your business to grow. Especially if your customers are online. Krissy has turned the skills she's honed for decades into a process you can follow. In this week's episode Krissy shares how you can build community and your business with 3 simple steps. Today's Guest Krissy Buck Krissy Buck is the Department Chair for Digital Marketing for WSU Tech.  Prior to that she served as Digital Communications Director then Chief Community Officer for QuiCC. Krissy is also active in the Wichita, Kansas community where she serves in multiple ways including helping local, aspiring entrepreneurs as a 1 Million Cups Organizer. You'll Learn How to grow you business from digital marketing expert, Krissy BuckHow to create fans of your brand by earning trust with your communityWhy influencers and affiliates can help your business without making you feel sleazyThe power of community to turn your fans into your best sales teamThe importance of celebrating wins. Both yours and your community members'.Why going where your customers are is required to grow your business online3 Simple Steps to Build Community and Your Business 1. Accept Accept people where they are in the buying journey. 2. Seek Seek out the influencer. The person of peace and connection in the community. 3. Go Go where the people are. Don't wait for customers to come to you. Links and Resources from this Episode Connect with Krissy Buck on LinkedIn Listen to Krissy's previous episode, How To Have A Rewarding Career With A 2 Year Degree – Krissy Buck Engage with Krissy and others on Digital Marketing on Twitter using #dmkchat Explore career building opportunities in digital marketing at WSU Tech Listen to Krissy Buck on the Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator podcast See the show notes at GregHarrod.com.

This might be the best way to create an exceptional meeting when you’re not the official leader. You can actually lead a meeting as a participant. And, not many people want to do this. That’s why you need to know this strategy. Perhaps the most powerful role in a meeting is the note taker. The scribe. Yet few people volunteer to take notes during a meeting. In fact, most will find some way to avoid this dreaded task. They run away from it like they flee a typical boring, inefficient meeting. I encourage you to be different. Embrace the role. Volunteer to take notes in the next meeting you attend. Especially if it’s a meeting that is less than exceptional. In this week's episode we'll talk about the hidden powers held by the meeting note taker. You'll learn how you can lead any meeting you attend in a way most people won't even try. You'll Learn 7 serious powers a meeting note taker holds The power to: Stay engagedInterruptBring clarityEnsure alignmentDocument decisionsDrive actionNot be perfectLinks and Resources from this Episode Supporting information in the post, How To Unlock The Power To Lead In A role You Probably Don't Like Connect or follow me on LinkedIn where I post daily on how to create exceptional meetings See the show notes at GregHarrod.com.

Have you ever piloted a plane? You have? Okay. But have you ever refueled an Air Force F-16 jet flying at 500 knots? And, not just any F-16 fighter jet, but one of the elite Air Force Thunderbirds squadron you may have seen at air shows? I haven't.  But, that would be so cool! Today's guest, Aaron Stark, has done those amazing things in his career.  And a whole lot more. Aaron no longer flies planes for a living. Instead, he helps his clients get where they want to go with their money. He made the career switch from Air Force pilot to wealth management advisor. The same skills he learned at the Air Force Academy and used in combat have served him well in every stage of his successful career. Aaron shares those lessons in today's episode so you too can learn how to navigate your career like an Air Force pilot. Even if you never see the inside of a cockpit. Today's Guest Aaron Stark Aaron Stark is the founder of HSI Wealth Strategies, a financial advisory team comprised of former United States Air Force pilots. Aaron and his team work primarily with professionals in the aviation industry: airline pilots, aviation business owners and executives as well as those who own and operate aircraft.  Their aim is to provide a flight path that alleviates anxiety and empowers their clients to live out their dreams through financial and retirement planning, tax-efficient strategies and investment management. They specialize in helping reduce marginal retirement tax brackets through tax efficient strategies for many clients.   Aaron graduated from the Air Force Academy with a BS in Aeronautical Engineering. After graduation, Aaron went on to fly the KC-135 R/T.  He earned his MBA in 2011 from Webster University in St Louis.  During his flying career, Aaron instructed in both the KC-135 and T-6.  He’s flown over 150 combat missions in the KC-135 over Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.  Aaron spent 13 years on active duty, and upon separating founded and built one of the fastest growing and most successful financial practices and has been recognized at a national level.  You'll Learn How the checklist discipline of a pilot will help you deliver results in your career and businessHow to eliminate risk and fear by applying flight safety practicesThe value of perseverance in your career and lifeWhy grit may be more valuable than talent and skillThe strength in admitting weakness and being vulnerable and authenticHow an F-16 fighter jet crash brought Aaron and me closer together3 Fundamental Career Skills from Today's Guest 1. Be tenacious Develop the skill of not quitting. Build grit. The majority of results come from the last bit of effort. So don't give up when things get hard. 2. Drive to be the best at what you do Successful people find satisfaction from getting better. There's no substitute for persevering and consistently improving over time. 3. Be strong enough to admit weakness Recognize you need support. Seek help and advice from those who have done what you're trying to do. Learn from the best if you want to be the best you can be. Links and Resources from this Episode Contact Aaron on the HSI Wealth Strategies website (hsiwealthstrategies.com) Connect with Aaron Stark on LinkedIn. See the show notes at GregHarrod.com.

No one wants another boring meeting that wastes their time. And, you certainly don't want to lead a meeting like that. You want to plan and run meetings that aren't like all the other meetings you and your coworkers can't stand to attend. You want to create exceptional meetings.  And, you can! By following these 7 steps, your meetings will stand out.  They will be different.  Better.  In a good way. And, you'll stand out as a leader too. One who shows respect for every person you invite to your meeting. Because you honor their time. All it takes is a bit of preparation and a proven process to follow. That's what you'll learn in today's episode. You'll Learn 7 steps to use structure create an exceptional meeting Plan aheadCreate a document to guide the meetingIdentify the topicsBudget the timeSelect the participantsOptimize the meeting structureShare the meeting documentLinks and Resources from this Episode Supporting information in the post, How To Use Structure To Effectively Lead Meetings Michael Bungay Stanier’s books, The Advice Trap Tom Henschel on The Way to Make Sense to Others on the Coaching for Leaders podcast with Dave Stachowiak Connect or follow me on LinkedIn where I post daily on how to create exceptional meetings See the show notes at GregHarrod.com.

Having your creations evaluated and judged by other people is hard. And, sometimes critiquing another person's work is even more difficult. This process of giving and receiving critique is a regular part of an artist's world. And, there are many lessons non-artists can learn from this practice. Today's guest is visual artist and professor, Shannon Johnston. Shannon shares from an artist's perspective what she's learned in her career about giving and receiving critique. It's a valuable process in any career. So, listen to Shannon's tips and begin applying them in your work so you can boost your career. Today's Guest Shannon Johnston In addition to being an artist, Shannon Johnston identifies as a daughter, sister, friend, introvert, teacher, student, feminist, collector, maker, consumer, and nail-biter. All of this informs her creative practice. It is engagement within and reflection upon community, both large and small, that ground Johnston’s practice. Repetition, generosity, and regeneration drive her making. Collection that borders compulsion builds her palette and ritual forms her process.  Shannon holds a Masters of Fine Arts in Painting from Wichita State University. She currently lives in Wichita, KS with her husband where she is Assistant Professor of Art and Director of Steckline Gallery at Newman University. You'll Learn The benefit of being curious and willing to learn and be surprised when receiving critiqueThe power of valuing input from others even when they don't know as much as you doHow to leverage daily debriefs to give and receive critiqueHow our worldview and perspective impacts the critique we giveThe value of seeking input from outsiders, peers, mentors, and those with less experience 3 Fundamental Career Skills from Today's Guest 1. Pursue critique often, regularly, and when it's not required Get input early in the creative process from your manager and your customers so you can adjust if needed. Make getting critique a normal part of your building process. 2. Learn to filter critique Just because someone gives feedback doesn't mean it's the right feedback. Know what critique to take and what to leave. 3. Be gracious when giving critique Lead with positive comments when providing feedback. Include compliments with the critique to build relationship. Remind the person you are critiquing their work, not them. We are not what we create. Our work is not our identity. Links and Resources from this Episode Check out Shannon Johnston's website. Follow Shannon on Instagram (@Shannie2345). Connect with Shannon Johnston on LinkedIn. Listen to Shannon on previous Connect Mobilize Deliver episodes Connecting Through A Weird Piece Of Art, with Shannon JohnstonHow To Lead When You Don’t Fit In, with Shannon JohnstonSee the show notes at GregHarrod.com.

You may love your career. But, do you want to have an even bigger impact on people's lives, but you're not sure where to start? Here's the good news. You can. And, you can do it by connecting with your community. Your local schools to be specific. Today's guest, Brandt Wilson, of Love Schools in Wichita, Kansas shares how he is using the skills he learned in his career to connect people, mobilize them for action, and deliver results. He shares how you can do the same thing by joining with him or learning from his example. So, if you're feeling a stirring within you to have an even bigger impact in the lives of others, listen to what Brandt has to say in this week's episode. He's helping community business leaders change the lives of school kids and have their own lives transformed for good as they serve. Brandt's love for schools and his passion to make a difference will inspire and motivate you. Today's Guest Brandt Wilson Brandt Wilson is the founder of Love Schools, a non-profit organization with a worthy and compelling mission. Love School's goal is to connect the community to the classroom by facilitating partnerships between local organizations and local schools. Brandt's career has prepared him well for this role of service.  As a pastor and a community volunteer for 15 years Brandt has lived out his passion to make a positive impact on people with every opportunity he is given. Now, Brandt continues to change lives while also serving in a full-time job with a locally owned small business. This experience equips Brandt to connect people in various roles in the local community and help them get started helping their local schools. You'll Learn The power to change employee's lives by connecting them with their local communityWho really benefits the most when business executives join reading programs in their local schools.How to begin when you want to make a difference in local schools but don't know where to startThe importance of listening well to connect with people and help meet their needsWhy experimentation is critical to finding solutions that work3 Fundamental Career Skills from Today's Guest 1. Be willing to make an impact When someone gives us an opportunity to join them in service our community, how should we respond? If we want to use our gifts to make an impact on people's lives, a good first step is to say yes to learning more and staying curious about how we might be able to serve. 2. Be willing to ask for help in the right way Asking for help isn't easy. We don't want to be told no. But, people often say yes when they're asked in the right way. Helping specific people understand they are uniquely equipped to meet a specific need causes them to recognize their importance. 3. Be willing to give strategically and intentionally Giving often means giving up something good to do something great. We can have a much bigger impact and be more fulfilled when we are purposeful and thoughtful in giving our time, our attention, and our money. Links and Resources from this Episode Learn more about Love Schools on Instagram (@love_schools_wichita) Follow Love Schools on Facebook (@Loveschoolswichita) Connect with Brandt Wilson on LinkedIn See the show notes at GregHarrod.com.

Have you had a rambler wreck a meeting you were leading? If you have, you know exactly who I'm describing as a "rambler". They usually don't mean to destroy the meeting you planned so well.  But they do. It's hard to know what to do to regain control. You have to protect your meeting from a rambler. In this episode, we'll cover a set of tips, techniques, and strategies that I've seen used successfully throughout my career. The best part is this. None of them require you to be rude. In fact, they all are built on a foundation of being an kind and confident leader. You'll Learn 3 steps to managing a rambler with kindness and confidence Pause and EmpathizeStop the RambleHelp Them Be Heard 6 possible reasons your teammate might be rambling InsecurityLonelinessTrustPassionCompensationInexperience 4 strategies to help a rambler be heard Include them in the meeting agendaHelp them prepare before the meetingAsk them to send you an emailOffer to meet with them personally after the meeting Links and Resources from this Episode Supporting information in the post, How To Stop Someone From Rambling So They Can Be Heard Michael Bungay Stanier’s books, The Advice Trap See the show notes at GregHarrod.com.

Disconnected. Isolated. Separated. Who do those words describe? Unfortunately, many workers today would use those harsh adjectives to capture how they feel. That's true now more than ever. With more and more people working remotely or in a hybrid model, it's hard for leaders to stay connected with their teams. And, even harder for team members to stay connected with one another. Thankfully, today's guest has a proven solution. Showing appreciation, using the appropriate language of appreciation for each coworker, will help your team stay connected. Dr. Paul White, best selling author and psychologist, has done the research and he's an expert. Dr. White shares in this episode what he's learned from data gathered from hundreds of thousands of employees working in companies of various sizes in all types of industries. In this conversation you'll get practical strategies and techniques you can apply with your team to help them stay connected. And, they're all based on the power of showing appreciation. Today's Guest Dr. Paul White Dr. Paul White is a psychologist, speaker, and consultant who makes work relationships work.  Dr. White is the coauthor of four books including, The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, written with Dr. Gary Chapman (author of the #1 NY Times bestseller, The 5 Love Languages), which has sold over 400,000 copies.  His latest book is Making Things Right at Work: Increase Teamwork, Resolve Conflict, and Build Trust. In this book, you’ll learn: How to discern the causes of workplace conflictHow to avoid unnecessary disputesHow to repair relationships when you’ve messed upHow to let go of past hurts and rebuild trustYou'll Learn Why showing authentic appreciation delivers better results than traditional recognition programsHow people who are working remotely want to be shown appreciationWhat younger employees really want from organizations and you as a leaderHow to keep remote and hybrid workers connected using a 3-step processThe right way to build trust as a leader by letting people get to know you. And, an easy trick to get started.Why appreciation and connection is important for everyone, even "tough guys" and "tough gals"3 Fundamental Career Skills from Today's Guest 1. Perseverance "Overnight success" doesn't happen overnight. Be diligent and consistent in pursuing your goals and dreams. And, don't give up. 2. Listen to your clients Pay attention to those you are seeking to serve in your business. This will give you insight to determine how to best help your customers. And, grow your career and business in the process. 3. Focus on serving your clients Focus less on making money or being profitable. If you serve your clients well, by providing either a good quality product or service, they're going to pay you for it. Links and Resources from this Episode Learn more about Dr. White on his website (AppreciationAtWork.com) Connect with Dr. White on LinkedIn or follow him on Twitter (@drpaulwhite) See the show notes at GregHarrod.com.

Giving someone a casual, thoughtless “Do you need any help?” offer for assistance is easy. But, if you want to actually help your teammate, there’s a better way. In fact, there are five better ways. And, we’ll cover each of them in this episode. We’ll also discuss some conversation scripts you can start using immediately so you can actually help others as soon as you’re done listening. And, before we get into the five better ways to offer assistance, we’ll talk about five tips on how to avoid negatively triggering another person just by how you phrase the question. This follow up to last week’s episode is packed with practical strategies and techniques you can quickly apply. If you didn’t catch last week’s show, you might want to listen to it first. Click here to listen to “Why Your Offer To Help Might Actually Hurt Your Team”. Then you’ll be caught up and ready to learn how to actually help your teammates with your offer to assist them. 5 Better Ways to Ask “Do You Need Any Help?” 1. Offer ideas on how you might help Before you casually ask your teammate, “Do you need any help?”, invest some time to observe their situation. Ask yourself these questions. Is the person struggling with something I find easy?Does the person dislike doing something I enjoy?Can I teach them something I know to help them do their work more productively?2. Be specific regarding your availability If you’re serious about helping the person you’re asking, make an offer you can actually deliver on. By planning ahead and considering when you are available, you can communicate healthy boundaries as you ask your teammate if they need help. 3. Help as you ask the question Help can come in a variety of forms. Encouragement and appreciation can sometimes be just as helpful as completing tasks. Before you ask a teammate if they need help, consider how you might help them even as you ask. You may be able to do this with something that is simple and easy for you but has a major positive impact on the other person. 4. Don’t say “help” if you own the work The word “help” really doesn’t apply if you’re the owner of the task. If someone else is working on tasks you also own, your efforts to complete those tasks aren’t “help”. The work is what every owner should be doing. This is a subtle aspect of word choice, but being careful and intentional with the words we choose is important. 5. Help before you ask If you know what needs to be done and you can do it, just do it. Without asking. If you trust one another and you’re familiar with the work they are doing, this technique can be extremely helpful to your teammate.  And, it reinforces the strong relationship you already have with them. Links and Resources from this Episode Get a copy of the book The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace by Dr. Gary Chapman and Dr. Paul White. Read my blog post on fighting perfectionism, “You Don’t Have To Be Perfect To Be Ideal“ Check out the resources related to the outstanding book The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni on the official website Check out the show notes at GregHarrod.com.