Strategic Momentum

Today’s conversation feels really important, and it’s a topic that really struck a chord with me personally. Elaine Lin Hering’s book — “Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully” — really gets to the heart of how and why so many of us feel stuck in our careers and life, as well as the internal and external forces that perpetuate this feeling. And perhaps even more importantly, Elaine shares how we can start to move forward by identifying the unconscious actions — or inaction — that drive so many behaviors, both individually and collectively, so that we can start to make conscious choices to change our experiences, careers, and organizations to better empower everyone. Learn more and find the complete show notes at https://www.conniewsteele.com/podcast Resources: https://elainelinhering.com/https://elainelinhering.com/book/https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainelinhering/https://www.instagram.com/elainelinhering/

For a lot of us, when we feel stuck, it’s not necessarily because we don’t know what we want — it may be that we feel like we’ve invested too much time and effort to change course now, or we feel scared of stepping into uncertainty, or we feel like the step’s just too big to take given our circumstances. We spend so much time convincing ourselves that we’re better off feeling safe than feeling happy, but that perception is more in our heads than it is reality. So today, Tammy Gooler Loeb, author of “Work From the Inside Out” and host of a podcast with the same name, shares her expertise on the critical importance of introspection and self-discovery in shaping — and revealing — a meaningful, satisfying and sustainable career path. We'll explore how deep personal understanding can be a powerful driver for professional growth and success, and how we can tap into the people around us as a source of inspiration and knowledge. Learn more and find the complete show notes at https://www.conniewsteele.com/podcast Resources: https://www.tammygoolerloeb.com/podcastlandinghttps://www.tammygoolerloeb.com/bookhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tammygoolerloeb/https://www.instagram.com/tammygoolerloeb/

This is an episode that feels very personal to me, and one I feel will be able to connect with so many others. My guest, Sheena Yap Chan, is The Wall Street Journal Bestselling author of “The Tao of Self-Confidence” and an award-winning podcast host who has interviewed hundreds of Asian women about their inner journey to self-confidence, which is all part of her journey to help women overcome their self-limiting beliefs and live a better life. When I read Sheena’s book, I appreciated her desire to bring these cultural and historical mindsets to the forefront. Too often, we inherit limiting beliefs and behaviors that hold us back, and I really saw my own experiences reflected in those pages. These barriers of self-confidence, imposter syndrome, trauma — these are universal challenges, and I think it’s so valuable that more people are openly talking about their experiences overcoming these roadblocks because, as Sheena shares in this episode, it’s so much harder for us to do that without community, without stories to fuel us with inspiration. So I hope you are inspired by Sheena’s story, and I’m thrilled that I can support her on her mission to help Asian Women live their authentic selves and create a stronger voice in the world. Resources: https://www.sheenayapchan.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheenayapchan/https://www.instagram.com/sheena.yap.chan/

It’s really easy to get stuck in a rut. We get accustomed to doing the same thing day in and day out. We can close ourselves off to new thinking, perspectives, experiences, and people. So today, I’m sitting down with Michael Scott to talk about the winding turns of his career journey, how his breadth of experiences drove constant personal growth, and how he’s now channeling his personal passion for books to create momentum for others on a global scale through Great Books + Great Minds. Resources: https://greatbooksgreatminds.substack.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/greatbooksgreatminds/

I really wanted to start this season off with a conversation about something that I think has a way of worming its way into almost every area of every person’s life: imposter syndrome. And what I love about this conversation with Paul Larsen is that he sees imposter syndrome as an inevitability for people with a growth mindset. If you’re not trying to do anything new, if you’re not trying to grow, then you’re probably not going to hear that little voice in the back of your head talking you down. But when you think about taking a risk, when you start a new season of your life, we start to doubt ourselves — and, really, if I’ve learned anything after 143 episodes of this show, it’s how common this is. When we understand that this is just a natural phenomenon that occurs in the human brain, then we can remind ourselves that we don’t need to overcome anything — it’s just a little hint that we’re growing. And Paul has some great advice for how we can start to reframe that feeling in every area of our lives. Resources: https://www.paulnlarsen.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulnlarsen/https://www.instagram.com/findyourvoiceasaleader/

This season is dedicated to topics related to personal growth and development. It's an exploration of how we can recognize what may be holding us back and navigate the paths to help propel us forward. Life often throws hurdles our way, but understanding those steps to overcome them is the key to unlocking our true potential. Learn more and find the complete show notes at https://www.conniewsteele.com/podcast

I started this season thinking about transitions -- about the big societal changes that we all have to grapple with, about the personal challenges we end up having to navigate individually, about the increasingly frequent career transitions that most of us experience at some point in our lives, and about how organizations can accommodate people who are constantly changing in a world that is changing just as much. And as I talked to our guests, it stuck out to me how much of the advice was about community, about support. We’re all walking a unique path, we’re all going through something different, we’re all navigating a rapidly changing world of increasing complexity — and none of us can do it alone. Learn more and find the complete show notes at https://www.conniewsteele.com/podcast

Dr. Cori Lathan is a neuroscientist, technology pioneer, inventor, social advocate, and the author of “Inventing the Future: Stories from a Techno-Optimist.” Cori has had such an incredible journey to date. She’s trying to shape the world into something better, and I think she has a great perspective on how we each, individually, have a role in creating the future — and a responsibility to make that the best future possible. Cori’s experiences have also given her some great insight on how to navigate these huge moments of transition, both in our careers and in society, and I can’t wait to share it with you. Learn more and find the complete show notes at https://www.conniewsteele.com/podcast Resources: https://www.corilathan.com/“Inventing the Future: Stories from a Techno-Optimist”https://www.linkedin.com/in/clathan/

Part of the reason I share this podcast is because I think there’s a lot of value and inspiration in hearing people share their stories. Sometimes we get that from authors, sometimes we get that from mentors, and sometimes we get that from friends. And today’s guest is a friend who I’m proud to say has been an inspiration on my own journey. Sara Conde is a sales coach and the Director of New Business at Collective, an online back office platform designed for Businesses-of-One. She has a journey that reminds us it’s never too late to try something new, and I think it’ll be inspiring for anyone who has ever felt a little stuck in an uncomfortable point in their life. Because even if something is a little uncomfortable, the familiarity can feel safer than taking a leap into the unknown. But if you sit in that discomfort and discontent for too long, it can really add up.

We all know change is hard. It makes us feel uncomfortable. It can be a little scary. But change can also be a good thing. Change can be growth. And in the end, we don’t always get to choose when things change. So what does it take to navigate all of the transitions that life throws at us when they seem to be coming more rapidly than ever before? How do we embrace change, develop, and grow? Our guest today is Jordan Gross, an author and Mental Health Therapist on a mission to re-imagine personal development — and make it more accessible to everyone.

“No one pays the fee for the agency for one person. No one person is the answer to everything.” This is a piece of advice that Beth Freedman, CEO of the media agency Dentsu X, received earlier in her career. It’s the power of a team — the great people that support an organization — that fuels a business’ success. It served her well then, but it was invaluable as a leader navigating COVID-19 and the changes in the workplace that came with it. In a world in constant transition, Beth believes that figuring out how to best navigate those changes takes a village of people who are there to guide and advise you through the learning curve. Whether you’re navigating your career or leading an organization through a global pandemic, it’s important to acknowledge what you don’t know, practice humility, and be unafraid to ask questions. No one person has all the answers. Learn more and find the complete show notes at https://www.conniewsteele.com/podcast Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethfreedman/https://www.dentsu.com/uk/en

We now live in a world where “the workplace” can mean a lot of different things — and that has a huge impact on the workforce. The transition to hybrid and remote work environments can come with a host of benefits, like time freedom and location flexibility, but it also comes with its own unique challenges. In particular, how do you foster a strong culture that supports people when everyone is distributed? How can you create a sense of connection with others when you haven’t met them in person? And how do you make sure your company’s values are constantly aligned with your people’s values? Ken Babcock is Co-Founder and CEO of Tango, a business productivity software company that improves how organizations capture and transfer knowledge through their documentation solution. He is joined by Allie Klun, Head of Brand Strategy at Tango, to talk about creating an environment that is focused on helping people be their best at work no matter where they are. Learn more and find the complete show notes at https://www.conniewsteele.com/podcast Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenbabcock/https://www.linkedin.com/in/allieklun/https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AuzvEOMsYTTf08GM-wXCRGkZUMQGN23npL3ScUBYZ3o/edit#gid=0https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-p5FhmE1gU3Q6P48zpx4DNP4bG2xuU-2-ftqXg6phpRi9FQ/viewform

A daily commute to a job where you do the same thing every day. A workplace filled with coworkers who do the same. A long career in one industry. We’ve all heard this before. These are the old definitions of work, or at least the stories most of us were told about it. But this isn’t really the way things work, is it? There are new rules of work. And a critical aspect that we all need to understand is that there will be another new set of rules tomorrow because we’re in a constant state of transition — so understanding and preparing for what’s next requires more than just learning a new set of definitions. Gary Bolles shares what we need to know about The Next Rules of Work — and the next ones after that. Gary is the author of “The Next Rules of Work,” Chair for the Future of Work for Singularity University, and co-founder of eParachute.com, which builds on the insight from his father’s hit book, “What Color is Your Parachute?” Learn more and find the complete show notes at https://www.conniewsteele.com/podcast Resources: https://www.gbolles.com/ Read “The Next Rules of Work:” https://www.amazon.com/Next-Rules-Work-Organization-Uncertainty/dp/1398601632

Life transitions, work, workplace, and career transitions — we have to adapt to so much these days. And I think a lot of people are starting to feel that lately. So I hope you’ll join me as we explore perspectives and stories about navigating these changes, and learning to evolve as organizations and people throughout the Fall. Learn more at https://www.conniewsteele.com/podcast

I write a column for Shared Services Online titled “The Future is Human: Understanding & Shaping the Future of Work.” You can find the column at SSOnetwork.com and I’ll also be sharing audio versions of each article as bonus episodes in the podcast feed. This is the column for July 2023. Resources: https://www.ssonetwork.com/index.php/contributor/connie-steelehttp://www.conniewsteele.com/book

My goal with this season was to examine our roles, as both business leaders and people who work, in shaping the future of work. So I started the season by sharing some definitions of the future of work that thought leaders and workforce organizations have come up with. They all share a lot in common, but in general, these definitions are passive; they imagine the future of work as a thing that is going to happen to work, workers, and organizations that we need to figure out how to respond to. I didn't agree with that then, and after having these conversations, I'm even more confident; The future of work will be a result of the choices and decisions that people, organizations, and governments make today. I think it is critical to acknowledge that we are not passive participants in this process — both individuals and organizations are co-creating the future of work. Learn more and find the complete show notes at https://www.conniewsteele.com/podcast

Kate Roberts is a global social entrepreneur and champion for women’s leadership through business, philanthropy, sexual health, and art. Kate has had a 30-year career of championing women's leadership through non and for-profit ventures, with a focus on women's sexual reproductive health, sexual wellness and exponential philanthropy. She co-founded Maverick Collective together with Melinda Gates and The Crown Princess of Norway, and more recently, founded The Body Agency, a global fem tech and e-commerce company, and its foundation. Doing the inner work to figure out the alignment of what you are good at, what you love, what the world needs, and what you can be paid to do is important and illuminating — but few people are able to articulate how you take that alignment and put it into action in the real world like Kate. Learn more and find the complete show notes at https://www.conniewsteele.com/podcast Resources: https://www.kateroberts.orghttps://www.thebodyagency.comhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sex-body-and-soul/id1578534520

I write a column for Shared Services Online titled “The Future is Human: Understanding & Shaping the Future of Work.” You can find the column at SSOnetwork.com and I’ll also be sharing audio versions of each article as bonus episodes in the podcast feed. This is the column for May 2023. I share a lot of research in this episode, and if you’re interested in checking out those links, you can find them in the show notes below or in the article on Shared Services Online. Resources: Read the column: https://www.ssonetwork.com/index.php/contributor/connie-steele State of Work & Career Success 2023: https://www.conniewsteele.com/research COVID-19 Pandemic Continues To Reshape Work in America: https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2022/02/16/covid-19-pandemic-continues-to-reshape-work-in-america/ How Many Americans Work Remotely?: https://digitaleconomy.stanford.edu/publications/how-many-americans-work-remotely/ “Another Truth About Remote Work:” https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2021/09/work-from-home-numbers/620107/ “CEOs Are Blaming The Need For Mentorship to Justify The Forced Return of All Employees. Reality Calls For a Very Different Approach.:” https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/forcing-your-employees-back-to-the-office-full-time-for/450275 Future Of Work Part 2: Stop Forcing Employees Back To The Office: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/01/27/future-of-work-part-2-stop-forcing-employees-back-to-the-office/?sh=7dab2c3e3ad4 eLearning Industry Future of Work Study: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/01/27/future-of-work-part-2-stop-forcing-employees-back-to-the-office/?sh=7dab2c3e3ad4 “Employees forced back to the office twice as likely to quit than those with choice says new survey:” https://www.hcamag.com/asia/specialisation/employee-engagement/employees-forced-back-to-the-office-twice-as-likely-to-quit-than-those-with-choice-says-new-survey/416519 The Rise of the Whole Employee: 20 Years of Change in Employer-Employee Dynamics: https://www.metlife.com/content/dam/metlifecom/us/noindex/pdf/ebts-2022/MetLife_EBTS_2022.pdf “US...

Audrey Wisch is co-founder and CEO of Curious Cardinals, a global mentorship community that connects K-12 students with passionate college mentors. And Audrey is the kind of person who makes me excited about the future. People spend a lot of time talking about Millennials and Gen-Z. And if we’re being honest, a lot of the time people are talking about the younger generations, they’re complaining about how they just don’t make ‘em like they used to. And it’s true — Gen-Z is different. Some have different priorities. Some approach their work and career differently. But this doesn’t have to be a bad thing. We’re in the process of co-creating the future of work, and that process is only going to be improved by embracing these differences and including Gen-Z in that conversation. After hearing from Audrey, I think you’ll agree that Gen-Z has a lot to add to the future of work. Learn more and find the complete show notes at https://www.conniewsteele.com/podcast Resources: https://www.curiouscardinals.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/audrey-micay-wisch-39a95a1b2/https://twitter.com/AudreyWisch

I am thrilled to bring you a conversation with prolific author and renowned management trainer Bruce Tulgan. Bruce has been one of the leading experts in management for decades now, working with some of the largest organizations in the world to create data-driven systems and practices that nurture more cohesive organizations, and he created RainmakerLearning to help individuals develop their relationship management skills. He’s learned a lot about the skills required to succeed, and he wrote a book about what skills will be necessary if you want to be indispensable in a post-pandemic world: “The Art of Being Indispensable at Work: Win Influence, Beat Overcommitment, and Get the Right Things Done.” Learn more and find the complete show notes at https://www.conniewsteele.com/podcast Resources: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Being-Indispensable-Work-Overcommitment/dp/1633698491