Leading with Intention

What if you could get 1% better at networking, communicating, or negotiating? What would that mean for your career? What if everyone on your team could get better, even more than 1% better? What would that mean for you, your department, and your company? Mark Herschberg, MIT instructor, CTO/CPO, and author of The Career Toolkit: Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You, will discuss the skills missing from our workforce and how we can instill them across our organization.

A big part of effective leadership is being able to build relationships. One of the ways to do that is by attending business conferences or corporate networking events. All industries have them and many businesspeople cringe at the thought of 'circulating' and networking during the breaks and down time of these events. This is especially difficult if you are an introvert and would prefer not to even attend. But extroverts also have a hard time navigating these types of conversations. And building relationships or networking is all about asking the right questions and listening. Hear your host, Monique, take you through lots of examples of how her clients have built their skills for networking. Preparation is key and can lead to less stress and anxiety when you're attending any business event. Most people don't realize the pre-work involved, what to do or say during the event, and the follow-up activities that need to take place. Monique will provide a step-by-step process for you to follow - just like her clients do - to flex that networking muscle. You'll never again dread attending a business event because you'll learn that it's all about preparation, having a conversation, asking questions, and listening. Be sure to listen is so that you can start practicing these skills immediately!

You know how important it is to have quality employees and how crucial retention is to your organization. But are you wondering how to make your chronically ill employee more productive? This scenario may have happened before your eyes – that star employee used to be very productive but recently was diagnosed with a medical issue. Maybe they have turned into that mediocre employee – or worse, a bad employee. If you want to learn how you can turn that employee back into a more productive employee, this discussion is for you. During this episode, you will learn: ? What a chronic illness is ? What policies and procedures to have in place ? What’s important to be successful in this area ? What you as a company need to do Turn that chronically ill employee back into the productive employee you know that they can be!

What does it mean to be an HSP, or a Highly Sensitive Person is and what is not part of the trait? Also for non-HSP’s, how do you recognize an HSP and what they need? It is important to have an understanding of the trait, as well for the HSP but also for the non-HSP. If you have HSP’s in your organization and give them the right kind of support (they don’t need any special accommodations necessarily) they will be of great value for your organization or to your team. What is important for HSP’s when they are in leadership roles, is to have great self awareness and knowledge. HSPs often live and lead by the norms that non-HSP’s have created, which creates more stress and eventually burnout for HSP’s. This means having good boundaries and a good self care routine. To do this you need to know what it is that you need, what makes you thrive, and what keeps you from being effective and successful at work. This in turn requires flexibility and having a mental fitness routine in place. Just as a person goes to the gym to have a healthy body, you can have a mental fitness routine to be in charge of your HSP mind and how it impacts your work. Learn tips on how to avoid letting your subconscious rule your decisions, how to deal with setbacks, and be more resilient. Learn to use your sensitivity, intuition, and empathy as tools instead of allowing them to overwhelm you. Annet will also address how we currently view HSPs, and what needs to change about this image.

One thing successful leaders do well is delegate. They know how to leverage their team, give up control of the small stuff, and trust others. If you are constantly putting out fires, micromanaging your team, or simply want to accomplish more then change your mindset and learn how to delegate. Stop making excuses that you need to be the one to do it all! Join your host, Monique, as she takes you through a simple process to help you learn the skill of delegating. She'll also help you uncover the possible reasons why you might be hanging on too tightly to all that extra work. Listen to the actual stories of Monique's clients as they worked through this issue in coaching. You'll walk away with a solid strategy that you can implement immediately to free up your time!

Today's workplace can be challenging, even dysfunctional, and many things may seem outside of your control. Are you finding it hard to climb the corporate ladder, manage your team effectively, handle conflict, or deal with change? If so, it could be because you are sabotaging your efforts with seven flawed behaviors. Not only that, you may be contributing to the challenges and dysfunctions of your organization. The good news is that not all is lost! You have more control over these challenges than you think. Join your host, Monique, as she sheds some light on the seven dysfunctional behaviors that you may be displaying. Learn what they are through the eyes of her clients who have dealt with them personally, and see if any of them resonate with you. You'll take away tips and strategies that will help you shift away from these sabotaging behaviors!

Tune in to this informative episode where we'll discuss cultivating connection and belonging to attract and retain talent and reduce sick leave. We, as a society, have never been more disconnected than we are today, which makes us disengaged, depressed, and lonely. According to McKinsey, 40% of all people are unhappy at work and 79% are disengaged. The US Surgeon General recently stated that one out of two Americans is dealing with loneliness, with consequences beyond their physical and mental health. Loneliness is costing companies $154 billion per year and the US economy $406 billion per year in lost productivity. Unni will uncover the keys to creating more human connection at work and in life, in order to counteract the cost of loneliness and help leaders and teams experience more joy, fulfillment, and success. She will share engaging and personal stories, provocative statistics, and some brain science, leaving the you feeling uplifted and empowered – and with simple tools you can start using immediately to start seeing results in your work life.

The modern workforce is comprised of individuals with diverse responsibilities, including working parents who face unique challenges in balancing their professional and personal lives. Corporate leaders have a crucial role to play in supporting working parents and creating a workplace culture that embraces their needs. In this discussion, we will explore strategies and initiatives that corporate leaders can implement to better support working parents, improve workplace culture, and foster a more inclusive and productive environment. In recent years, the demand for work-life balance and family-friendly policies has increased significantly. Recognizing the importance of supporting working parents, corporate leaders are now tasked with creating an inclusive workplace culture that meets the needs of their employees with families. By implementing supportive measures and initiatives, corporate leaders can enhance employee satisfaction, retention rates, and overall productivity. We'll explore ways to support working parents such as offering flexible work arrangements, enhancing parental leave policies, and offering on-site child care. We'll also discuss the importance of employee resource groups, support networks specifically for working parents, and mentorship programs. Corporate leaders can set the tone by collaborating with experts or organizations to provide resources and training on topics such as managing work-life balance, stress management, effective time management, and parenting skills. Join us to learn how you, as a leader, can better support your employees.

Join us for this riveting discussion on how business professionals can embrace failure as a catalyst for growth. Learn how the common fear of failure in corporate settings can hinder innovation and growth. We'll discuss the concept of failing forward and its potential benefits for both leaders and their teams. Dr. Raya will do an in depth analysis of renowned corporate leaders who turned failures into opportunities for personal and organizational growth, along with the leadership traits that helped these individuals navigate adversity and motivate their teams to do the same. We'll dive into the role of effective communication, collaboration, and root-cause analysis in overcoming challenges and embracing continuous improvement. Be inspired as we discuss practical strategies for corporate leaders to maintain a positive attitude when faced with setbacks, and how psychological safety in the workplace can promote learning from failures. You'll hear success stories and actionable steps for creating a culture that encourages experimentation and learning. You won't want to miss this exciting episode!

As many of us have experienced, when topics such as microaggressions and racism come up people get uncomfortable, often getting defensive or withdrawing completely. If we want workplaces that are truly equitable and diverse, that address the structures and attitudes that contribute to so many voices not being heard, we have to be able to talk openly about these topics in ways that everyone can stay present to the discussion. Non Violent Communication (NVC) offers us a transformative way of thinking about the world and connecting with other people, that moves us away from dichotomous, moralistic thinking. It helps us gain clarity on what actions are serving life - making this world one that works for all - and which actions are too costly in their impact. We can differentiate the action from the actor. We can work to change painful strategies to more life-serving ones without denying anyone’s humanity. In her book, How to Have Antiracist Conversations: Embracing Our Full Humanity to Challenge White Supremacy, Roxy offers the Authentic Dialogue Framework that helps people to have precisely these kinds of conversations. Utilizing Dr. Martin Luther King’s Beloved Community vision and the tools and approach of Nonviolent Communication, people in the workplace will be empowered to create change and equity through fierce yet compassionate dialogue against racism and other forms of systemic oppression. With this approach people will learn how to notice the underlying needs and values that motivate all human actions and how those values can open up pathways to transformation. They will also learn how to engage in antiracist conversations whether they are the Actor (the person who says or does something racist), the Receiver (the target of racism), or the Bystander. Implicit biases begin forming before we have language and are deeply rooted in the subconscious. By combining neuroscience, introspection, and self-compassion, one can disrupt unconscious patterns. The accompanying handbook, The Antiracist Heart, co-written with Sarah Peyton, applies neuroscience exercises, questionnaires, and journaling prompts based on the main book to support just this kind of disruption. Workplaces, and their leadership, that have received the training and support to have a common way to talk together and address such topics based on their broadened awareness will then have a better chance of hearing from everyone and understanding dynamics that stand in the way of all members of the team contributing to their highest potential thus moving the overall aim of the organization forward.

According to a recent poll on LinkedIn, you want to do better at influencing others in the workplace. Monique has listened to your feedback! She's created this solo episode just for you. One way to influence others in an authentic way is through your own values. That's right, get clear on your values and then implement the behaviors that align with those values. When you do that in the workplace, you are setting an example and people will follow your lead. It's a sure way to form relationships, persuade, and influence. Join your host, Monique, as she takes you through a client case study where her process created an exciting win for her client, with an unexpected twist. Learn how to identify your personal and work values, determine your vision and mission as a leader, and implement the behaviors that represent those values. You'll leave this episode with a solid process to grow professionally, and an authentic way to connect with and influence others at work!

Everyone in the workplace needs to adapt to change and even embrace it. If you're a leader you have an even bigger responsibility - you need to be a Change Agent. That means being proactive and anticipating the change that's coming, even creating it with innovation, then mentoring your team so they support the organization and work as one system to execute the change. If you can't do this as a leader, then your job is at stake because change and ambiguity are two constants in the workplace. Listen to this intriguing episode as your host, Monique, conducts a solo show that will help you build these important soft skills. She'll explore the 5 stages of change and how you can identify these stages in your direct reports. Monique will use case studies to help you understand the critical Change Agent skills, and best practices to implement that will allow you to lead all types of change seamlessly.

Tune in for a unique discussion as Monique rounds out her final week in Spain. She completes her two-month trip with a week of volunteer work for VaughanTown. The VaughanTown organization provides English language services to Spanish business professionals. Listen to Monique’s interview with two of her students, Juan and Nati, as they discuss their intense week and all that’s involved in language immersion. Monique, Juan, and Nati discuss what it’s like to step out of your comfort zone and learn a new language, speak it 15 hours a day for a week, and navigate the accents of volunteers who come from eight different Anglo countries. Listen in as Juan and Nati describe a week of true leadership behavior – discipline, dedication, perseverance, and resilience – and end the week with a feeling of true empowerment. Non-native English speakers, and anyone wanting to learn a new language, will find this interview truly inspiring! After hearing Juan and Nati’s story, leaders from all walks of life will understand the true meaning of leadership and the behaviors necessary to inspire, influence, and communicate in a more robust way.

In part one of this two-part series you heard Monique being interviewed by Richard Vaughan on Richard Vaughan Live. Richard is the founder of VaughanTown, an English language immersion organization in Spain - where Monique volunteers. Today, tune in for another robust episode of Leading with Intention where Richard interviews her again on his show. Richard and Monique discuss more insights about foreign culture, language immersion, and the importance of high-quality teacher training. You’ll learn more about Monique's personal and professional journey and how she got to where she is now as a coach. And you’ll even hear Richard attempting to get Monique ‘married off’ to a Spaniard. You won’t want to miss this incredibly fun interview on 'Richard Vaughan Live' as these two share stories, insights, and most importantly – the amazing but complex English language. Non-native English speakers will find part one and part two of these episodes of particular interest due to the discussion about language immersion. Tune in to this exciting hour and get to know Monique a little better!

Get ready for an extraordinary episode of Leading with Intention with a twist, where your host, Monique Daigneault, takes the center stage as Richard Vaughan himself interviews her on his show, Richard Vaughan Live about her captivating journey in Spain. Richard is the founder of VaughanTown, an English language Immersion company in Spain. Join Monique and Richard as they delve into the vibrant city of Valencia, Monique's unique pilgrimage to visit every neighborhood fountain, and the profound impact of volunteering and travel. Richard and Monique uncover the secrets behind language learning success and the transformative power of immersion. Together, they explore the joys of cultural connection and the importance of effective communication. Don't miss this captivating interview on 'Richard Vaughan Live' as these two share insights, inspiration, and unforgettable stories. This episode will be of particular interest to non-native English speakers! Tune in and embark with Monique on an extraordinary adventure!

Do you feel like you can't help your direct reports when they come to you with issues or skill gaps? Is it taking YOU too long to climb the corporate ladder? Are you or your direct reports not involved in succession planning? If you're a leader, you need to keep upskilling yourself and increasing your knowledge base - for your own good and for the benefit of your direct reports. Leaders need to take control of their own career trajectory and stop relying on their boss to guide their career path. Leaders also need to be a valuable resource of information to their direct reports. Listen to this informative solo show by your host, Monique Daigneault, as she discusses strategies to overcome the skill gap for leaders and their direct reports with the use of three critical tools - a resource library, a personal learning plan, and an individual development plan. Learn how these tools can set you apart from all the other leaders out there who are stuck in a knowledge gap and dragging their direct reports down with them! After this episode you'll be better positioned for a promotion and you'll have the skills and tools to be a better resource for your team.

Recent advances in AI are bringing changes at an unprecedented rate into our companies. Large language models portend impact across nearly every office job type and can rewrite winners and losers in a given vertical. Companies need a strategy to stay abreast of the rapid changes in AI while mid and senior leaders need techniques to ensure their value proposition to companies isn't eroded by the technological changes. In this episode we speak with veteran CTO and MIT instructor Mark Herschberg about what this new technology is, how to bring it into your organization, and what it means for your career prospects.

Many companies are taking on DEI initiatives because it is in style and employees are demanding it. But your DEI efforts will only go so far if you don't amplify the E in DEI. E is for equity and there are several ways to define that term. During this show we'll discuss it's importance and what you can do to ensure your overall commitment to diversity lands well and positively affects your bottom line.

Leaders have an increasingly hard time giving feedback to their direct reports. Some leaders are highly empathetic and try to soften the message. Others just don't know how to have the conversation in a direct way. Then there are times when you need to give feedback to your own boss. That can be a risky conversation - how do you do it? What do you do when someone gives YOU feedback - how should that be handled? You'll hear strategies for all three situations during this informative episode. Tune in to hear your host, Monique, provide actual case studies of how others successfully navigated these tough conversations. After this solo show, you'll be equipped with strategies and tools to shift your mindset about these risky conversations.

Brands aren't just for consumer products anymore. Your reputation precedes you wherever you go and in business, the first thing people do when they get your name is look you up on LinkedIn. What does it say? Do you have a clear point of view? Do you stand for anything? Does it demonstrate what you are passionate about? If you are one of the hundreds of leaders I have coached, you likely have treated LinkedIn as an online resume and not much more than that. LinkedIn has changed- and so have its users. 8 people are hired every minute on LinkedIn and there are more than 850 Million members. Only 3% of those members are active. So the great news is you have an opportunity to shine. Taking time to curate your brand is the difference between being just a person with a job, to a human in a category of one who is remembered. Your brand is much more than your job title. Your brand is the extension of yourself that you are sharing with the world. It is the way you want to be thought of, the reason people want to know more and should be simple and easy to understand. And while I speak mostly about LinkedIn, your brand can proliferate across all of your socials but also in your conversations, interviews, podcasts and wherever else you want to take it. There is no such thing as job security anymore- only career security. You want to be viewed as an authority on your specific area of expertise. LinkedIn is the perfect place to help you establish that and there are easy fixes you can implement to help others understand who you are, clearly and quickly. But your brand extends beyond LinkedIn. This is where your power statement, elevator pitch, brag book and pros and cons lists come into play. These are tools that help you communicate the vision of yourself you want others to see. Don't wait until you are laid off to build your brand. But if you were one of the thousands who were laid off in 2023, we are here to help. In this episode we will give you some actionable tips that you can leverage to build your brand now. Putting the right foot forward is the difference between making you go from interesting to irresistible.