On the Up and Up

We’ve all been sold a big fat lie: that the ability to lead is something everyone’s born with. Let’s talk about this is not only untrue, but it’s also kind of dangerous. Plus, we’re also exploring the real difference between leadership and management. (Yes, they’re not the same thing, even though we tend to use them interchangeably around here.) Let’s clear up the confusion and talk about what it really means to be an effective leader and manager. Links Mentioned Take advantage of our special promo pricing for People On Purpose, AND get access to our exclusive community to enhance your learning: https://the-paradigm.com/people-on-purpose *Expires on 9/30

It’s here! The fifth edition of People On Purpose®, our signature leadership and management training program, has officially launched – and I want to dive into it. But don’t worry, this episode isn’t a sales pitch. I’m not here to talk you into POP, but to share the philosophy behind POP and why I built it the way I did. Understanding that philosophy gets to the heart of what real leadership training is all about. The biggest takeaway? People On Purpose® isn’t for everyone – and that’s by design. It’s built for managers and leaders who align with our core values, which I’ll be unpacking in today’s episode. Tune in now to find out more! LINKS MENTIONED: Join People On Purpose® today: https://the-paradigm.com/people-on-purpose Read more about the People On Purpose® Philosophy: https://the-paradigm.com/pop-philosophy/

If the thought of having a tough conversation with someone you manage makes you want to bolt , you’re not alone - and there’s actually a ton of science behind it. Our brains aren’t exactly wired to enjoy this part of management. In fact, they’re working over time to convince us to avoid sitting down for that challenging chat with an employee. Today we’re talking about what’s really happening in our brains when we’re faced with an employee issue: from the fight-or-flight response and cognitive dissonance to social conditioning, negativity bias, emotional regulation challenges, and fear of the unknown. We’ll also talk about a framework for recognizing when a difficult conversation is exactly what’s needed to solve a problem, and how to build the confidence to tackle it head-on every single time. LINKS MENTIONED Tackling Tough Conversations Masterclass: https://the-paradigm.com/tackling-tough-conversations If you want to hear even more science behind the challenges of leadership, check out our recent episode on unconscious biases in hiring: “Ep. 82: Are These 5 Biases in Hiring Sabotaging Your Dream Team?” https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-82-are-these-5-biases-in-hiring-sabotaging-your-dream-team/id1661939979?i=1000661034302

Most leaders don’t wake up planning to fail their teams, but sometimes it happens unintentionally. And one of the biggest culprits is a lack of common leadership language and management philosophy across the organization. When everyone’s on a different page and speaking a different language, silos start forming, and your team struggles to collaborate effectively. This is especially risky in those critical stages of small business growth when scaling your team is key to unlocking your company’s full potential. I get it - this sounds super abstract. That’s why in today’s episode, I’m sharing real-world stories that brought this concept to life for me, and I think will for you too. Whether you’re managing a team within a larger corporation or leading one your own business, this episode is packed with insights on how to create a consistent, clear, and direct leadership language that will set everyone up for success. Links Mentioned Take the quiz to discover your People Leadership Archetype and start leading more authentically: https://the-paradigm.com/quiz

Last week, we kicked off a 5 day plan to go from a day-to-day manager to a trusted leader who knows how to boost your team’s profitability and productivity. If you missed that deep dive of the first 2 steps - reflect and observe - make sure you go back and catch that one too! Today, we’re wrapping it up with the 3 final steps: Remember, how you lead when everything’s running smoothly—aka when your team is crushing it and the vibes are on point—is a whole different game from leading in the thick of challenges. Waiting until the house is on fire to deepen your self-awareness as a leader or sharpen your skills is not the move. The time to do this work is when things are steady. That’s what keeps those fires from turning into full-blown infernos. LINKS MENTIONED Download the freebie: “5 Day Plan To Go From Manager To Trusted Leader.” https://the-paradigm.com/5-day-plan-to-leadership Take the quiz to discover your People Leadership Archetype and start leading more authentically: https://the-paradigm.com/quiz Catch up on the first 2 steps in last week’s episode: “Ep. 89: [Part 1] 5 Steps To Go From Manager To Trusted Leader”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-89-five-steps-to-go-from-manager-to-trusted-leader-part-1/id1661939979?i=1000665270028

Let’s hit the reset button - on both your management and your team. As managers and leaders, it’s our job to get everyone on the same boat and moving in the same direction. But sometimes it feels like some people are in canoes, some are on jet skis, and some are in a totally different lake. It happens. But there are simple ways to get everyone back on course, including yourself. In this episode, we kick off a 5-day plan designed to transform you from a manager to a trusted leader in under an hour a day. Today, we're diving into the first two steps: Reflection and Observation. These steps are the foundation for a stronger, more cohesive team—and a more empowered you. Join me for a quick chat about these crucial starting points and get ready to transform your leadership and your team by next week. Trust us, this reset will change everything! LINKS MENTIONED Download the freebie: “5 Day Plan To Go From Manager To Trusted Leader.” https://the-paradigm.com/5-day-plan-to-leadership Take the quiz to discover your People Leadership Archetype and start leading more authentically: https://the-paradigm.com/quiz

LoriAnn Kuntz, a finance expert by trade (and a legal eagle by necessity), never planned on hiring employees. She had properly classified contractors, and that arrangement was working out just fine…until it wasn’t. As soon as she realized she needed more say over her team’s work, she knew it was time to change up her team’s structure. It’s one thing to chat about these principles through our typical HR lens; it’s another to hear them straight from someone who’s in the trenches, leading and learning every day. LoriAnn and I chatted about: Tune in now to get inspired! About LoriAnn & Profit Priority LoriAnn is the owner and CEO of Profit Priority, a boutique accounting and fractional CFO firm helping creatives go from unsure to unstoppable when thinking about their finances. With over 8 years of experience in accounting and small business finance, she has the insight and experience to help you up-level your business while removing the stress and burden of managing your finances. Whether you are just starting out or you have been in business for years, her mission is to help creatives feel peace about their numbers while growing their profit and confidence. Business aside, LoriAnn is really just a midwest gal obsessed with running, reading, iced coffees and spending time on the farm with her two little kiddos. Links Mentioned LoriAnn’s website: https://www.profitpriority.co/ LoriAnn’s podcast: https://www.profitpriority.co/podcast Download LoriAnn’s free cash flow projection tool - https://www.profitpriority.co/cashflow Connect with LoriAnn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loriannkuntz.co/?hl=en Take our quiz to dIscover your own Leadership Archetype: the-paradigm.com/quiz

Ever wonder why some new hires knock it out of the park while others can’t seem to find the ball, despite having all your training videos and SOPs at their fingertips? In this episode, we’re focusing on the major mindset shift that leaders have to make - but often don’t - between sending the offer letter and training their new employee. We’ll talk about how this mindset sets the stage for effectively using documentation not just to instruct, but to uncover and bridge the skills gaps of new team members. Plus, hear the common pitfalls in standard training methods and how to transform your own internal process through engaging, strategic conversations that tap into the raw potential of each new hire. LINKS MENTIONED Catch our recent episodes about documentation’s role in leadership: Ep. 83: Hot Take: Documentation Is The Dark Horse Of Accountable Company Cultures: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-83-hot-take-documentation-is-the-dark-horse/id1661939979?i=1000661781225 Ep. 84: How To Create Seamless Employee Onboarding [Beyond The Paperwork]: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-84-how-to-create-seamless-employee-onboarding-beyond/id1661939979?i=1000662522969 Sign up for our Documentation 101 Workshop to ensure you and your team are effectively documenting what matters most to your business: https://courses.the-paradigm.com/courses/documentation-101

How crucial is community for small business owners and entrepreneurs? So crucial that our friend Taryn Rachelle restructured her entire business into a personal brand to better serve the community she'd spent years building. In this episode, we're setting aside our usual convos on HR regulations and team management to dive into community-based business with Taryn. We chat about: Taryn is your girlfriend with a plan and has been crowned the systems & community queen. As the founder of Taryn Rachelle, Keynote Speaker and Podcast Host of She Can Systemize, Taryn prides herself on helping YOU create a business that can thrive while also having a thriving personal life. With her years of knowledge in systems, running a business primarily solo and now working at the Head of Community & Partnerships for Dubsado, Taryn knows her way around running a successful business that does not run you. If you’re looking for a little inspiration from a fellow female founder, this is the episode for you! FIND TARYN ONLINE: Follow @thetarynrachelle for educational resources and to learn more about Taryn’s incredible retreat!

Our legal (Bravo) correspondent is back for some BREAKING news about our girls Ariana and Katie and their former Menu Consultant and Karen of the sandwich world, Penny . Also we break down Love Island USA because we can't stop talking about it, and dive into the weird world of sibling drama via the rumor that Sandoval and Rachel's lawyers are BROTHERS? Also, Kelli teaches us about how trademarks add a value of about 30%+ to your business valuation, and why creating a business with assets is a key component to otherwise difficult to sell and scale service based businesses. Follow Kelli at @lawyerkelli_ on Instagram

There are two sides of the seamless onboarding coin: There’s the one most people think about, which is all the compliance stuff. Paperwork, forms, yada yada yada. But today we’re talking about the other side: the cultural elements of seamless onboarding that contribute to not only the employee experience, but the leadership experience as well. Join us as we talk through the 4 stages of an employee’s onboarding (which start before you’re even paying them!) with tips to make each one seamless and reflective of your culture as possible. LINKS MENTIONED: Take the Leadership Archetype Quiz and understand how to lean into your personal leadership style to better support your team: https://the-paradigm.com/quiz Our Documentation 101 workshop teaches an essential skill to add to your leadership toolkit to cultivate an accountable company culture, starting with employee onboarding.

Let’s talk about one basic skill (dare I say, the #1 skill) that every business owner and leader can bolster within their teams to cultivate a culture rich in accountability, empowerment, productivity, and long-term relationships. This skill is the answer to questions about how to build a proactive and engaged team while simultaneously creating an environment that’s in line with the way that you’re leading. Surprisingly, this skill isn’t something you’ll find in most management books, and it’s probably not something you’ve encountered in the usual corporate settings. But it’s completely transformed the cultures of businesses who do it well. So…what is it, and how do you learn it? Tune in to find out! LINKS MENTIONED Sign up for our newly enhanced Documentation 101 Workshop: https://courses.the-paradigm.com/courses/documentation-101 Purchase it for yourself or as a team resource to ensure everyone in your business is documenting the right things at the right time to support your company culture!

As an entrepreneur, you’re not expected to magically transform into a professional recruiter overnight. Interviewing without letting bias crash the party is a learned skill, not something that just pops into your brain the moment you launch your business. But the truth still remains: bias in hiring is a sneaky thief that shrinks your candidate pool down to a fraction of what it could be. Don’t worry, today’s episode isn’t about making you an expert recruiter. It’s simply about bringing your awareness to the 5 common biases we see in hiring, and recognizing how sneaky they are. Plus 3 tips for actively combating them in your own processes. Once you know what to look for and how to address them, ensuring your hiring process and team dynamics are fair and in everyone’s best interest can become a conscious effort. Tune in now and take the next step in building a diverse and inclusive team! LINKS MENTIONED Here’s last week’s episode about the business case for building a diverse workforce: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-81-diversity-in-workplace-statistics-why-inclusivity/id1661939979?i=1000660315629 Further Reading: The Age of Magical Overthinking by Amanda Montell https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Age-of-Magical-Overthinking/Amanda-Montell/9781668007976 Join our HR membership, Set To Scale, to get access to all the templates and hiring rubrics mentioned in this episode: https://the-paradigm.com/settoscale Sign up for our Documentation 101 Workshop here: https://courses.the-paradigm.com/courses/documentation-101

If there's one conversation we're never putting on mute, it's about the real value of diversity on your team. Not because 'diversity' has been a trendy buzzword since 2020, but because we've got recent and cited stats to prove that diversity really is better for your business. In today’s episode, we're diving into why diversity is a major win for your bottom line, and we’ll show you how to champion it authentically, not performatively. Tune in now! SOURCES AND FURTHER READING "Corporate Diversity Data: What Fortune 500 DEI Reports Reveal." Purpose Brand, purposebrand.com/blog/diversity-report-examples-fortune-2023/. Parker, Kim, et al. "On the Cusp of Adulthood and Facing an Uncertain Future: What We Know About Gen Z so Far." Pew Research Center's Social & Demographic Trends Project, 14 May 2020, www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2020/05/14/on-the-cusp-of-adulthood-and-facing-an-uncertain-future-what-we-know-about-gen-z-so-far-2/#fn-28453-1. "Gender Pay Gap Statistics You Should Know." Built In, builtin.com/recruiting/gender-pay-gap-statistics. "U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 Feb. 2024, www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2024/womens-earnings-were-83-6-percent-of-mens-in-2023.htm. "Understanding Organizational Barriers to a More Inclusive Workplace." McKinsey & Company, www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/understanding-organizational-barriers-to-a-more-inclusive-workplace. Wilson, Reid. "Diversity Defines the Millennial Generation." Brookings, Brookings, 24 July 2014, www.brookings.edu/articles/diversity-defines-the-millennial-generation/. "Women in Tech." Built In, builtin.com/women-tech.

Happy Juneteenth! Today we’re honoring the end of slavery, celebrating Black freedom, and celebrating the slow strides we're making. But part of our celebration as non-Black Americans is recognizing the work we have to put in to keep pushing the needle for racial equity. Now, I recognize it’s not my place as a white woman to speak about the experience of Black Americans. But it is my place to spotlight the ongoing struggles and discrimination Black Americans face, particularly in the workforce. So, keeping it in my lane: let’s dive into what Juneteenth means for businesses and HR. How can we, as leaders, better support and impact other people’s experience in the entrepreneurial world? Join me today to explore some key statistics and lessons I’ve learned on being true allies in the fight for racial equity. And follow along on our Instagram as we share Black creators we love to follow, laugh with, and learn from. REFERENCES Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey.” Accessed June 17, 2024. https://bls.gov/cps/cpsaat11.htm. Yahoo Finance. “Black CEO Representation in Fortune 500 Companies.” Accessed June 17, 2024. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/black-ceo-representation-fortune-500-103000820.html Pew Research Center. “How Americans View Their Jobs.” March 30, 2023. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2023/03/30/how-americans-view-their-jobs/#:~:text=Black%20workers%20are%20the%20most%20likely%20to%20say%20they%E2%80%99ve%20been%20discriminated%20against%20in%20the%20workplace%20because%20of%20their%20race%20or%20ethnicity. National Bureau of Economic Research. “Paper w29053.” Accessed June 17, 2024. https://www.nber.org/papers/w29053. Built In. “Examples of Unconscious Bias in the Workplace.” Accessed June 17, 2024. https://builtin.com/diversity-inclusion/unconscious-bias-examples.

Think your career's best moments are in the rearview? Think again! Join us as we dive into the transformative journeys of women who are turning decades of experience - in and out of the office - into entrepreneurial gold. Carmen Reed-Gilkison and Deirdre Harter of Encore Empire are flipping the script on what it means to be a “seasoned professional.” Together, we explore their unique approach to coaching late-blooming entrepreneurs: transitioning from the corporate ladder to the entrepreneurial journey, shedding the employee mindset for a CEO’s vision, and managing the limiting beliefs that often comes hand-in-hand with a significant pivot. Remember, it’s never too late to chase what lights you up. These ladies will prove that your prime years could still be ahead, fueled by a bit of grit and a lot of passion Tune in now! About Carmen and Deirdre: With over 45 years of combined corporate experience, founders of Encore Empire, Carmen Reed-Gilkison and Deirdre Harter, work with women who are ready to own the power they’ve spent decades building by guiding them through the process of mastering their big ideas, wrangling their doubts, and taking action with smart, actionable strategy. They're a duo of a CPA and a Certified Online Business Manager & Whole Person Coach, each with their own entrepreneurial background, who have teamed up to help other women in their age bracket cash in on their life experience. Carmen and Deirdre are committed to honoring the perspective and insight women over forty bring to the table because real magic happens when we devote our time and energy not to taking care of everyone else—but to finally realize our own goals and ambitions. Links Mentioned: The Marketing Methodology Workshop: How would it feel to ditch the marketing overwhelm so you can spend your precious time growing your business? Build out your custom marketing framework and create a simple-to-follow system to achieve your business goals in three easy steps. https://encoreempire.com/upandup

As a creative entrepreneur, do you ever feel like your job completely transformed overnight? One moment, you’re working in your creative zone of genius, and the next, you’re knee-deep in job descriptions, payroll, team performance reviews...the whole People Ops shebang. Not exactly what you had in mind when you branched out on your own, is it? Not everyone loves this shift. Some folks thrive, while others feel a little lost. If you’re gearing up to hire a team or have already taken the leap into leadership, how do you handle this new reality of growth? Today, I’m chatting with Kristin Richards, CEO of In Flow Design Co. She’s here to share her journey from creative entrepreneur to people leader and how she keeps her creative passion alive through it all. We dive into: -Taking accountability when things go wrong - Empowering your team to discover what excites them -Balancing leadership with finding joy in your business -Staying true to your values, no matter what -Rethinking the employee vs. contractor debate -Building trust with a network of experts to grow your business Join us for a candid, empowering conversation that’ll inspire you to embrace your evolution as a leader while staying true to what lights you up. About Kristin Kristin Richards is the CEO and creative director of the branding and website design agency In Flow Design Co. Kristin launched her business while living overseas in Australia, and has grown it beyond a one-woman show into having a team and selling digital products. Her company In Flow specialties in working with clients in the coaching, consulting and luxury travel industries. She is also a certified mindset & success coach, and believes in building a business based around your values and lifestyle. Links Mentioned In Flow Design: https://inflowdesignco.com/ Steal Kristin's step-by-step website launch process! This is the same process she and her team use with her website design clients - all in one handy dandy free checklist: https://inflowdesignco.com/website-launch-checklist Launch your website workshop: https://inflowdesignco.com/intentional-website-workshop

Are you checking in with yourself and your mental health? We know Mental Health Awareness Month has been all about how we, as leaders, can support our employees. But let’s flip the script for a moment: what about your own mental health? What's at risk when you're always operating at full throttle without a break? This week, we have a story you don't want to miss from Mary Beth Storjohann, Co-CEO of Abacus Wealth Partners. It's powerful to hear a woman who's achieved so much career success talk openly about mental health struggles. It reminds us that no matter where you are in your career, mental health is crucial. Mary Beth shares her journey of success in a male-dominated field, candidly discussing what led her to a mental health breaking point and how she bounced back with a fresh perspective on boundaries and protecting her peace. She also dives into the unique pressures on women in leadership and the impact we, as female leaders, can have on the people we lead. Tune in to hear Mary Beth's story and get inspired to prioritize your own mental health while leading with compassion and strength. About Mary Beth Storjohann Mary Beth Storjohann is Co-CEO of Abacus Wealth Partners. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, author, and speaker with 19 years of experience in the financial services industry. She joined Abacus in 2019 as Chief Marketing Officer after successfully launching and growing her own RIA firm and in 2022 was appointed as Co-CEO. A believer that “actions speak louder than words,” Storjohann is known for sparking conversations and modeling change in the financial services industry by leaning into uncomfortable dialogue and decisions in order to leave the world and our industry in a better place. She is a fierce advocate for women, diversity, equity & inclusion, and making financial advice accessible to underserved populations and has been invited to speak at various industry and consumer-focused conferences about the work Abacus is doing in these areas. Mary Beth has been featured in major media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, NBC, Glamour, NPR, The New York Times, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, CNBC, Forbes, and more. Her accolades include the “Top 40 Under 40” by Investment News, being listed as a 2023 MO 100 Top Impact CEO by Big Path Capital, and she was named a Top Ten Most Influential Advisor by Investopedia – a list celebrating financial advisors making significant contributions to critical conversations about financial literacy and wealth management. Mary Beth lives in San Diego with her husband, a 5 & 7-year-old who are constantly demanding snacks, and two rescue dogs. Links Mentioned Find Mary Beth and Abacus Wealth online: WEBSITE: https://abacuswealth.com/ <- make sure to check out their free course for business owners getting started with their finances! PODCAST: “If Money Were Easy”: https://abacuswealth.com/podcast/if-money-were-easy/ On this podcast you’re going to learn from leading authors, business owners, professionals, and many of our very own in-house financial professionals from Abacus. Expect to hear about money and values, growing your wealth, creating an impact, leadership, financial wins and (some losses), and more. Our goal is that you walk away from each episode with at least one takeaway that you can implement on your financial journey. Available on your favorite streaming platform. INSTAGRAM: @Marybstorj on IG BOOK: “Work Your Wealth: 9 Steps to Making Smarter Choice With Your Money on Amazon” https://www.amazon.com/Work-Your-Wealth-Smarter-Choices/dp/0692627332 Get a free copy of the...

You know what feels ickier than having that awkward underperformance chat with an employee in a stuffy conference room? Having to do it over Zoom. We’re huge champions of remote work, but it definitely throws in some extra hurdles for managers. Especially when you don’t have the benefit of connection from in-person settings. Addressing underperformance is never straightforward, no matter where your team is. But when you’re dealing with it remotely, knowing the right (and wrong) way to handle it makes all the difference. Today’s episode is all about how to identify underperformance, when to bring it up, and how to address it with 14 quick and easy DO’s and DONT’s. Tune in now! LINKS MENTIONED: Conversation Log: Use this as a framework for documenting situations and behaviors on your team that should be recorded as part of your team member's employee file.

Say it with me: “My past experience in corporate America won’t dictate how I conduct employee performance reviews. I’m not here to give negative feedback just for the sake of documentation.” Performance reviews have a bad rap, but they don’t have to suck. When we rethink the purpose of the review process, it can actually become something everyone looks forward to. Today, we’re offering a new perspective that will make performance reviews positive and productive, without the dread or anxiety. We’ll cover: Why performance reviews are still a must How to set the stage for a productive review conversation Understanding the difference between compensation reviews and performance reviews, and when to combine and/or separate them The impact of your company’s culture on your performance reviews; A common mistake in evaluating employee performance How to use performance reviews to boost employee engagement and satisfaction Basically, we’re here to show you that performance reviews can be beneficial for the company, uplifting for the employee, and empowering for you as a leader. As a modern leader, you have the unique opportunity to reshape this process to fit your business and your team. That’s what effective leadership is all about! Tune in and let’s reset the standard for performance reviews together! LINKS MENTIONED Join our Set To Scale membership: https://the-paradigm.com/settoscale