Women Who’ve Sold Their Business Series: Gail O'Rourke | E168

Do you find yourself frustrated because your team isn't working the way you expected? Are you struggling to understand why your employees don’t seem to share the same drive and commitment that you bring to your business? In this episode of *Leadership is Feminine*, host Kris Plachy explores the diverse reasons people work and how understanding these differences can transform your approach to leadership. Kris explains that it is easy to assume that everyone’s motivations for working are the same, but the reality is often very different. The assumptions leaders make about others' motivations for working can create conflict. She explains that leaders often expect their team members to share the same level of dedication, only to face disappointment when reality doesn't align. Kris introduces the concept of the "leadership lens," highlighting that each person views work through their own set of experiences, values, and beliefs, which can greatly differ from those of their leaders or colleagues. As Kris states, “The reason we work is ours and ultimately, the only person who is accountable for whatever that reason is – is you.” She encourages listeners to take responsibility for their own motivations while also fostering a culture of accountability within their teams. Kris provides a practical solution by emphasizing the importance of setting a strong foundation: ensure the vision is clear, values are well-defined, and team members understand their roles and agreements. She stresses that leaders must hold employees accountable to these expectations while consistently providing feedback to foster growth and alignment within the team. This episode offers practical guidance for leaders who want to move past frustration and build a workplace where different motivations are understood and valued, leading to more effective collaboration and results. Key Takeaways From This Episode Understanding Your Reason for Why You Work Differences in Perspectives, Employees vs. Leaders: Recognizing that everyone’s reasons aren’t necessarily the same. The Leadership Lens: How perspectives and assumptions affect work environments. Conflict in Workplaces Based on Assumptions We Make: Importance of mutual understanding and avoiding assumptions in interactions. The Need for Accountability: How accountability issues, on either end, can affect the overall work environment. Advice for Employees and Employers: Encouragement for employees not satisfied with their jobs to seek better opportunities and advice for leaders to be clear about company vision, values, and goals. Ownership & Responsibility: The role of honesty and emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility in job performance. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Have questions? Want more details about the ways we support women Visionary Founders? Visit www.thevisionary.ceo.   Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

As a driven visionary, you have a clear idea of what success looks like—but the path to get there isn't always straightforward. Doubt, fear, and hurdles often creep in, challenging your confidence and testing your resolve. In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, host Kris Plachy explores the experience of visionary doubt—the internal struggle that arises not just once, but repeatedly along your entrepreneurial journey, and asks: are you willing to overcome the discomfort and focus on who you need to become to achieve your vision? She further discusses that the doubt often kicks in when business owners hit a point where they can no longer manage everything by themselves or the business goes through a big shift. It's a crucial part in an entrepreneur's journey, and Kris says being able to adapt is a marker of success. Kris also emphasizes the power of seeking advice from your future successful self - the you who has already achieved your vision. This can provide a fresh perspective and motivate you through the doubt you may be experiencing. Tune in to discover how embracing change, confronting doubt, and a willingness to change can propel you towards the growth and success you're seeking. “Doubt will win every time if you don't invest in how you think and how you feel and how you act.” Key Takeaways From This Episode Visionary Doubt Isn’t a One-Time Experience: Discussion on self-doubt that emerges along the visionary’s journey. Challenges Entrepreneurs Face: How these issues can impact the entrepreneur's confidence and belief in their own vision. Overcoming Visionary Doubt: The need for a shifted perspective and the importance of resilience and believing in yourself. Understanding Growth and Change: Taking inventory of your willingness to change and experience discomfort in order to reach your goals. Importance of Perseverance and Adaptability in Business Growth. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Leadership is Feminine Merch is Here! Show your support for female empowerment and leadership by wearing Leadership is Feminine merch! Designed for women founders and entrepreneurs, our collection includes hoodies, t-shirts, hats, coffee mugs, and tumblers, each serving as a bold statement that leadership can be feminine and powerful. By sporting our gear, you help spread the message that women possess incredible wisdom and intuitive strength. Let's change the world together and show the world how capable and united we are. thevisionary.ceo/merch Work with Kris and Her Team: TheVisionary.ceo CEO Boutique Email: [email protected] Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, host Kris Plachy dives into the power of acceptance and the futility of resisting reality. Drawing from her 13 years of leading retreats in Hawaii, Kris reflects on a key question she frequently asks: "What do you wish wasn’t?" This thought-provoking question highlights how often we get stuck wishing circumstances, people, or experiences were different. Instead of fighting against what is, Kris encourages listeners to embrace the present and explore new possibilities. Through a series of reflective stanzas, she emphasizes the importance of taking personal agency and making new choices, rather than expending energy on resistance. Tune in to discover how shifting from wishing for change to embracing your power to act can propel you forward as a leader and visionary. “There is no way to make what was again. There are only choices that move us forward or keep us stuck. The past is gone, the present is our current truth. But the future, our future, always exists in our next step.” Key Takeaways From This Episode The Core Question: What do you wish wasn't? What the Question Reveals About Our Desires The Energy Wasted in Longing for Things to be Different The Importance of Accepting Current Circumstances, Rather Than Wishing Things Were Different Encouragement for Listeners to Seize Personal Agency and Create New Paths for Themselves Contact Information and Recommended Resources Get Access to LEAD LESSONS Lead for Women is now open for advanced registration! Sign up now thru September 18th and join Kris LIVE on October 9th for 8 weeks of Lead for Women Lessons and real-time advisement to get that difficult team member issue solved. Go to www.thevisionary.ceo/nextstep to learn more details. Leadership is Feminine Merch is Here! Show your support for female empowerment and leadership by wearing Leadership is Feminine merch! Designed for women founders and entrepreneurs, our collection includes hoodies, t-shirts, hats, coffee mugs, and tumblers, each serving as a bold statement that leadership can be feminine and powerful. By sporting our gear, you help spread the message that women possess incredible wisdom and intuitive strength. Let's change the world together and show the world how capable and united we are. thevisionary.ceo/merch Work with Kris and Her Team: TheVisionary.ceo CEO Boutique Email: [email protected] Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

As a driven entrepreneur, you likely pride yourself on being self-reliant and handling everything on your own. Yet, deep down, you know that to grow your business and thrive, you need to lean on your team more. In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, host Kris Plachy explores the challenge many Gen X women entrepreneurs face: asking for and accepting support. Raised with a strong sense of independence, you might struggle to delegate, and when others fall short, it's tempting to just do it yourself. But what if, instead of rescuing everyone, you could guide them—and in the process, free up your own time and energy? Kris shares her strategies on maintaining emotional balance when dealing with disappointments, and how to guide others through their errors, instead of rescuing them. She encourages us to assess situations pragmatically, rather than letting our emotional tolerance dictate our response to setbacks. As you tune into this episode, discover a new leadership mindset that fosters support, maturity and growth. You won't want to miss out on Kris’s guidance on how to accept and cultivate support and step out of managing and into leading, as the visionary you are. “‘No one can do it better than me.’ That is the most painful lie you're telling yourself. And who cares if they can't do it better than you or as well as you? You know what they can do? They can do it well, and they can do it well based on their brain, as long as your results are specific.” Key Takeaways From This Episode Understanding Gen X Female Entrepreneurs: The struggle to accept help due to the innate need for independence. The Problem with Self-Reliance: The high bar set for others while simultaneously experiencing exhaustion of trying to do it all. Allowing Employees to Make Mistakes: Understanding that employees will inevitably make mistakes, taking on their responsibilities will not make it any easier. Managing Emotional Response to Mistakes: The need for flexible thinking and being able to objectively assess problems. Leading through Others’ Mistakes: The need for leaders to guide their employees through the resolution process of their mistakes rather than fixing it themselves To Listen to the Gen-X Women Founders Mini Series Part 1: “GenX Women Founders: A Generation of Leaders that is Changing the World” Part 2: “The Sandwich Generation: How Gen X Women Balance Business, Family, and Aging Parent” Part 3: “GenX Women Founders: Confronting Imposter Syndrome in Gen X Women's Leadership” Part 4: “Gen X Women Founders: How Can WE of All Women on the Planet, Be Afraid of Change?” Part 5: “Gen X Women Founders: Our Collective Emotional Load” Contact Information and Recommended Resources Get Access to LEAD LESSONS Lead for Women is now open for advanced registration! Sign up now thru September 18th and join Kris LIVE on October 9th for 8 weeks of Lead for Women Lessons and real-time advisement to get that difficult team member issue solved. Go to www.thevisionary.ceo/nextstep to learn more details. Leadership is Feminine Merch is Here! Show your support for female empowerment and leadership by wearing Leadership is Feminine merch! Designed for women founders and entrepreneurs, our collection includes hoodies, t-shirts, hats, coffee mugs, and tumblers, each serving as a bold statement that leadership can be feminine and powerful. By sporting our gear, you help spread the message that women possess incredible wisdom and intuitive strength. Let's change the world together and show the world how capable and united we are. thevisionary.ceo/merch Work with Kris and Her Team: TheVisionary.ceo CEO Boutique Email: [email protected] Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

As someone who is leading a business and looking to uplevel your life, not only have you endured a lot of change, but it’s also something you seek. But just because you wish things were different, that doesn’t mean that change comes easy. In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, host Kris Plachy talks about the relationship we have with change, and invites listeners to examine our willingness to be open to change. Kris shares a personal tale of her weight loss journey, losing 60 lbs in a year. Along with her journey, she shares viewpoints on change and how these transformational moments don't arrive through perfect circumstances but through taking action in spite of hardships. Weaving together her experiences, she emphasizes that your life situation doesn't magically improve post-change, and it's essential to step into a better version of yourself to handle life's challenges more effectively. Kris dispels the myth that everything will be perfect once change happens. She also emphasizes the crucial role of expert mentors and coaches, saying, "Change is all about you and the chemistry of the experts that support you, with you, because it's not a straight line." The episode reminds us the importance of hiring those who genuinely inspire us and challenge us to better ourselves. Tune in to be inspired by Kris's personal change journey, learn about her approach to nurturing change, and take a look into the barriers that hold us back from making significant changes in our lives. Change is here. Are you ready? “There is no circumstance that will happen outside of you that will miraculously change how you feel inside. And how you feel inside is exactly how you show up in the world outside.” Key Takeaways From This Episode Change and Personal Transformation: The universal human desire for change and the psychological resistance to it. Importance of Expert Guidance: The appreciation for expertise and the value of getting the help of a professional. Making the Decision to Change: Distinguishes between making a decision and the resistance, often psychological, to act on that decision. Implementing Change: Desired change won’t happen unless we take action towards it. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Get Access to LEAD LESSONS Lead for Women is now open for advanced registration! Sign up now thru September 18th and join Kris LIVE on October 9th for 8 weeks of Lead for Women Lessons and real-time advisement to get that difficult team member issue solved. Go to www.thevisionary.ceo/nextstep to learn more details. Leadership is Feminine Merch is Here! Show your support for female empowerment and leadership by wearing Leadership is Feminine merch! Designed for women founders and entrepreneurs, our collection includes hoodies, t-shirts, hats, coffee mugs, and tumblers, each serving as a bold statement that leadership can be feminine and powerful. By sporting our gear, you help spread the message that women possess incredible wisdom and intuitive strength. Let's change the world together and show the world how capable and united we are. thevisionary.ceo/merch Work with Kris and Her Team: TheVisionary.ceo CEO Boutique Email: [email protected] Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

Many leaders carry a worry that they will make a mistake and it will land them in trouble. This worry of being in trouble can be overwhelming, paralyzing, and be the driving force in decision making. In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, host Kris Plachy reminds us that as a leader, you're going to make mistakes, and she invites listeners to reflect on how we emotionally process and respond when mistakes are made. She explores what it means to step into a leadership role and the inherent responsibilities that follow. We're all too familiar with the anxious feeling of making mistakes and 'getting in trouble'. Kris urges us to reevaluate this particular fear. "I don't want to care about getting in trouble. I have spent most of my life being worried about getting in trouble," she states, inviting us too to shed this inhibiting concern. She shares that as women, we have traits that make us sensitive and conscious leaders, creating safe environments for our teams. Yet, these 'superpowers' can sometimes turn into 'poison' that prompt overcompensating behaviour and a tolerance for continuous mistakes. It’s crucial to strike a balance, Kris urges, between ensuring safety and indulging in over-compensation. Beyond managing yourself, Kris explains that as leaders, there is a level of responsibility for creating space for the emotional needs of your team. "I believe that we have to recognize as leaders, that we are now saying yes to having some level of custodial responsibilities, even if it's just at an energetic level for other people's emotional health. And that because I'm in a position of authority, I carry more weight." She stresses the importance of handling our authority conscientiously. Join Kris as she talks about the challenges and rewards of being a leader, creating a safe workplace environment, and how we can balance sensitivity with firmness in our roles as leaders. You won't want to miss this exploration into the facets of leadership. Key Takeaways From This Episode Discussing the Challenges of Leading People: Reflecting on the fear of making mistakes and getting in trouble Addressing Mistakes and Accountability in Leadership: Recognizing the inevitability of making mistakes Understanding the Responsibility Leaders Have Over Others' Emotions: Reflecting on the behavior of leaders towards their employees Overcoming the Fear of Trouble: Acknowledging that this requires self-awareness and the ability to apologize when necessary Discussing the Importance of Maintaining Responsibility and Personal Conduct in a Leadership Role Contact Information and Recommended Resources Get Access to LEAD LESSONS Lead for Women is now open for advanced registration! Sign up now thru September 18th and join Kris LIVE on October 9th for 8 weeks of Lead for Women Lessons and real-time advisement to get that difficult team member issue solved. Go to www.thevisionary.ceo/nextstep to learn more details. Leadership is Feminine Merch is Here! Show your support for female empowerment and leadership by wearing Leadership is Feminine merch! Designed for women founders and entrepreneurs, our collection includes hoodies, t-shirts, hats, coffee mugs, and tumblers, each serving as a bold statement that leadership can be feminine and powerful. By sporting our gear, you help spread the message that women possess incredible wisdom and intuitive strength. Let's change the world together and show the world how capable and united we are. thevisionary.ceo/merch Work with Kris and Her Team: TheVisionary.ceo CEO Boutique Email: [email protected] Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

You started your business, had some success, and now you need to add people to your team. Or, maybe you’ve been at this for a while, you’ve had some turnover, and it’s starting to feel hopeless, like you’ll never be able to find people you can trust that will stick around. In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, host Kris Plachy answers the question: why are people so hard to find?  Of course it would be great if employees showed up on time, never missed a deadline, and fulfilled the expectation of their roles, but that’s not realistic. For many leaders, this can lead to a lot of drama and blame, but instead, Kris invites leaders to look within. What if we could rely on ourselves and trust that we will follow through on upholding the expectations we agreed to?  This episode explores how a lack of accountability plays a major role in frustrations between leaders and their employees, and how important it is for team members to understand what success looks like in their roles. "The difficulty in finding 'good people' often stems from leaders not being clear or consistent in their expectations and communications."  Kris shares that open dialogues between leaders and employees to align goals, resources, and timelines, empower teams for success. And she acknowledges the significance of trust, communication, and well-defined role clarity in performance resolution, highlighting these elements as fundamental to effective leadership.  Join Kris for this honest and eye-opening episode as she challenges leaders to shift their perspective on accountability and team dynamics. Discover how clarity, trust, and open communication can transform your team and empower you to find the right people who align with your vision and goals.  Key Takeaways From This Episode Clarifying Expectations: The need for leaders to facilitate clarity so employees can understand what success looks like in their roles. A Leader’s Responsibility to Hold Employees Accountable: Consequences of a lack of accountability. Trust in Leadership: Trusting oneself to manage expectations, outcomes, and managing unmet expectations. Addressing Failure and Poor Performance: Importance of open dialogue and addressing issues directly and constructively. Self-Awareness in Leadership: Trust and confidence in oneself to handle team management and difficult conversations. The Ongoing Nature of Hiring and Firing as a Part of Business: Learning and correcting from unsuccessful hires as a part of leadership. Contact Information and Recommended Resources Get Access to LEAD LESSONS Lead for Women is now open for advanced registration! Sign up now thru September 18th and join Kris LIVE on October 9th for 8 weeks of Lead for Women Lessons and real-time advisement to get that difficult team member issue solved. Go to www.thevisionary.ceo/nextstep to learn more details. Leadership is Feminine Merch is Here! Show your support for female empowerment and leadership by wearing Leadership is Feminine merch! Designed for women founders and entrepreneurs, our collection includes hoodies, t-shirts, hats, coffee mugs, and tumblers, each serving as a bold statement that leadership can be feminine and powerful. By sporting our gear, you help spread the message that women possess incredible wisdom and intuitive strength. Let's change the world together and show the world how capable and united we are. thevisionary.ceo/merch Work with Kris and Her Team: TheVisionary.ceo CEO Boutique Email: [email protected] Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

In our final Bonus Episode focused on ‘the biggest bummers you didn’t see coming as a female entrepreneur, Kris dives deep into how communication is not just a tool but the heartbeat of effective leadership. Whether you're managing a team or leading your own venture, these insights are sure to elevate your leadership game. 💬 Kris breaks down the essentials: Understanding the unique perspectives individuals bring to the table. The importance of clarity and confirmation in communication. Powerful strategies to overcome miscommunication and ensure everyone is on the same page. Techniques for having those difficult conversations we often shy away from. 🌟 Exclusive Invitation to Lead for Women Program Are you ready your skills further and communicate with clarity and confidence? Kris Plachy's Lead for Women Program is opening advanced registration exclusively for the next 24 hours! This program is designed to equip you with practical skills over eight transformative weeks, covering everything from team dynamics and accountability to personal growth and financial decision-making. Here’s a full breakdown of what’s included in LEAD FOR WOMEN: Week 1: Team Triage, Design, and Audit Get immediate solutions for challenging team dynamics and set your business on the right path. Week 2: Handling Difficult Conversations and Accountability Master the art of direct and effective communication, ensuring accountability and results. Week 3: Leadership is Feminine Philosophy and Results Model Discover a unique framework for achieving exceptional results in your business without relying on outdated hierarchical structures. Week 4: Optimizing Your Brain's Health Understand how the health of your mind impacts your business outcomes and learn strategies to maximize your mental fitness. Week 5: Hiring and Compensation Strategies Find out how to attract, hire, and properly compensate top talent to drive your business forward. Week 6: You as the Business Asset Address personal hurdles, like guilt, insecurity, and worthiness, that might be holding your business back. Week 7: Effective Delegation and Ownership Transfer Learn the art of transferring ownership and responsibility to your team members to ensure sustainable growth. Week 8: Team Meetings, Coaching, and Performance Reviews Develop essential skills for running efficient meetings, offering valuable coaching, and conducting meaningful performance reviews. 📅 Program Start Date: October 9th 📌 What's Included: Weekly lessons and live advisory calls with Kris. Access to the CEO hotline for immediate guidance. Reflective guides and recordings for you to keep. 🏷️ Special Offer: Join the invitation list at the visionary CEO forward slash next step to get access to today's exclusive registration offer. You won't want to miss this incredible opportunity! ▶️ Join the Lead for Women Program Today! Visit thevisionaryCEO.com/nextstep to register and secure your spot. Empower your leadership, refine your communication, and watch your business thrive with Kris Plachy’s Lead for Women Program. Be the leader you were meant to be! Are you ready to unlock your leadership potential and lead your business with confidence? Don’t wait – join now and start your journey towards becoming an extraordinary female leader!  

This bonus episode is for you if you are you tired of dealing with team members who refuse to take ownership, accountability, or responsibility? Too much focus on blame rather than solutions? In our next Bonus Episode focused on the “biggest bummers you didn’t see coming as a small business owner, let’s confront what so many of you are facing… very real issues, that van feel like crisis levels of absent accountability and responsibility on the team. ✨ What's Inside: - Real-Life Leadership Lessons: Kris shares compelling stories from her nearly 30-year leadership journey, revealing profound insights into dealing with accountability, ownership, and responsibility. - Actionable Strategies: Learn how to address and manage employees who resist meeting expectations, and what consistent actions you can take to uphold business standards. - Empowerment Tools: Equip yourself with the tools and confidence to hold your team accountable, ensuring they meet the goals and agreements they’ve committed to. - Courage-Building Techniques: Discover how to become a steadfast leader who fosters an environment of excellence and accountability, even in the face of resistance and mediocrity. Join Kris Plachy as she unpacks her personal mission of transforming how you, lead your team. This is more than just a podcast episode—it’s your blueprint for solving a very real, daily problem. 🚀 Exclusive Offer: Sign up at https://thevisionaryCEO.com/nextstep and receive early access to our upcoming *Lead for Women* program starting on October 9th. Equip yourself with proven strategies to elevate your leadership game and transform your team dynamics! Limited-Time Special: Register now and enjoy a thrilling 50% savings on the *Lead for Women* program. Gain invaluable insights, participate in live sessions every Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Pacific, and wrap up by December 4th with a totally transformed leadership approach. 👉 Don’t Miss Out: Visit:  Secure your spot today. Take the first step towards a more empowered, accountable, and high-performing team! Add your name to our early invitation list today!

Are you tired of feeling like a babysitter or a referee in your own business? Are your employees giving reality TV a run for its money with all their drama? Well, hold onto your ergonomic chair because we've got the cure for your workplace woes! Tune into our latest episode of The Leadership is Feminine podcast featuring the utterly fabulous Kris Plachy!  Episode Highlights: - Leadership Hacks for Drama Kings/Queens: Discover how to handle workplace drama without morphing into Jerry Springer. - Real-World Case Study: Meet one of Kris's long-term clients who turned her chaotic soap opera of a workplace into a $30 million business. We’re not kidding—a few years ago, her employees were duking it out over parking spots! - People Management Magic: From dealing with the office gossip to navigating messy employee breakups, Kris has you covered with tips that actually work. - Positional Authority (Not a Fancy Throne): Learn how to leverage your position to enforce agreements and uphold company values, ensuring mutual respect without any Game of Thrones-style power plays.    What You'll Learn: 1. Drama-Free Business Strategies: From parking lot fights to emotional breakdowns, make your office more zen and less wrestling ring. 2. Clear Communication: Learn how to have honest and direct conversations without channeling your inner drill sergeant. 3. Value-Based Leadership: Establish a culture where gossiping is as welcome as a Monday morning meeting. 4. Handling Personal Crises: Supporting employees through tough personal times without turning into their life coach. 5. Legal Guidance: When and how to seek accommodations for employees with medical diagnoses while navigating the legal maze without needing a law degree. Special Offer: - Exclusive Early Access: Be the first to sign up for Kris Plachy’s 'Lead for Women' program, an 8-week intensive designed to transform female entrepreneurs into confident, drama-free leaders. Our invitation list subscribers will receive advanced registration details on Friday, 9/13! - Limited Time Invitation: Early registration opens this Friday for a select 24-hour window. Don't miss out, or you’ll be dealing with this year’s employee drama next year too. Listen or WATCH the Episode Join the Invitation List: Visit the https://thevisionary.ceo/nextstep to secure your spot in the next “Lead for Women” session. Hit "Play" and start the journey to a drama-free, high-performance team! The only drama should be what’s on TV tonight.*