Whitney Johnson - Build an A Team: Play to Their Strengths and Lead Them up the Learning Curve

From the headlines, it’s clear that diversity programs aren’t increasing diversity within organizations. After working with Fortune 500 companies like Walmart and Verizon on their inclusion and diversity efforts over the past decade, Jennifer Brown says that it’s because many of us want be more inclusive but aren’t sure where to start. In her new book​ she demystifies the process of creating inclusive workspaces into clear steps that anyone can take no matter their role. In this interview you will: Learn ​​how to respectfully use inclusive language - gender pronouns, diverse family formations, etc. ​Discover ​​how to recognize bias and know if you’re unwittingly participating in it. ​​Learn ​​how to identify your unique “diversity story” that will help you better relate to underrepresented and marginalized employees. Find ​out how leading the charge with diversity initiatives can help you stand out as a leader. BIO: Jennifer Brown is a leading diversity and inclusion expert, dynamic keynote speaker, best-selling author, award-winning entrepreneur and host of The Will To Change podcast, which uncovers true stories of diversity and inclusion. As the founder, president and CEO of Jennifer Brown Consulting, Jennifer’s workplace strategies have been employed by some of the world’s top Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits—including Walmart, Microsoft, Starbucks, Toyota Financial Services, T-Mobile, and many others— to help employees bring their full selves to work and feel Welcomed, Valued, Respected and Heard℠.

The clearest path to high achievement is building your capacity, incrementally, in four areas: Spiritual Capacity, Intellectual Capacity, Physical Capacity and Emotional Capacity. Each of these areas is separate but connected. ​Robert's framework came out of his weekly Friday Forward newsletter – which began as a simple email designed to inspire and motivate ​his team of 40 people at the time. Today, Friday Forward reaches over 100,000 people each week across 60+ countries and led to his book, Elevate. Additional learning notes: Learn why it’s important to focus on all four elements of capacity building simultaneously. Discover what you can do, and what habits you can add to your life that compound over time. Learn what type of people tend to be the highest achievers. Find the value of a morning routine and reading positive stories. BIO: Robert Glazer is the founder and CEO of Acceleration Partners, a global performance marketing agency and the recipient of numerous industry and company culture awards, including Glassdoor’s Employees’ Choice Awards two years in a row. He is the author of the inspirational newsletter Friday Forward, which reaches 100,000 leaders around the world each year. Robert is author of the international bestselling book, Performance Partnerships, and his new book Elevate: Push Beyond Your Limits and Unlock Success in Yourself and Others. He is a sought-after speaker by companies and organizations around the world. Find out more about Robert here.  

Diane Mulcahy writes and speaks about the Gig Economy, which is made up of anyone who does not work as a full-time employee in a full-time job. (It's not just Uber drivers!). Visit dianemulcahy.com to learn more. In this episode, you'll will learn to: Create a thoughtful exit strategy from your current job Understand how you can participate and succeed in the Gig Economy Identify the best type of gig work that works for you Find Better balance in your professional and personal life Bio: Diane is the author of The Gig Economy: The Complete Guide to Getting Better Work, Taking More Time Off, and Financing the Life You Want. She works with companies and individuals who want to succeed in the Gig Economy She is also a Forbes Contributor and writes frequently for Harvard Business Review about the Gig Economy and future of work. Diane is an Adjunct Lecturer at Babson College in Boston, where she created and teaches the first university course in the country on the Gig Economy.

Most people want to do great work, but they simply don’t know how. The result? Uninspired effort, unremarkable output, and unhealthy communication. We owe our teammates—and ourselves—something better. In his new book, Do Better Work, Lessonly CEO and co-founder Max Yoder shares 8 practical but profound ideas for transforming team culture and performance. No matter your rank or role, if you want to see more understanding, accountability, and progress on your team, Max’s stories and examples are for you. Because when we do better work—we live better lives. In this episode, you'll learn: Why clarity and camaraderie are so essential to team performance How vulnerability transforms teams and workplaces How to communicate more clearly with your team How to foster better work in a hostile workplace BIO: Max Yoder is the CEO and co-founder of Lessonly, the powerfully simple training software that helps millions of people learn and practice. He is the author of Do Better Work, a book about finding clarity, camaraderie, and progress in work and life. Max lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Jess. Learn about or buy Do Better Work at https://dobetter.work/ Learn more about Lessonly's training software at lessonly.com/learn-more  

It wasn’t too long ago that having a business coach was like having a scarlet letter on your professional suit. Today, having a coach has been elevated in status. In this interview series we will dig into this significant and necessary paradigm shift. We'll talk about how to: Learn why the central role of today's leader is that of a coach. Discover simple truths of human behavior that are both timely and timeless. Learn how to balance an understanding of business with an understanding of people. Deepen your awareness of your thoughts, your purpose, your values and your emotions. BIOS: Lee J. Colan, Ph.D. has been serving leaders for over 20 years. His firm equips and inspires leaders at every level. Lee’s practical models resonate with leaders working in an information-rich, time-poor world. He is an adviser to America’s leading companies and serves on the Board for Pacific Seafood, the largest seafood company in North America. He has authored 15 leadership books that have been translated into 10 languages. Get The Power of Positive Coaching book. Julie Davis-Colan is an innovative business adviser and peak performance coach with experience in sales and marketing to Fortune 500 companies. Julie has co-authored six popular books. She earned her Master's degree in Preventive Medicine from Ohio State University's College of Medicine after earning her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Biology, with honors, from Florida State University. Julie is one of only 1,000 certified Positive Psychology practitioners. Tools to Elevate Leadership  

The business world is changing fast. From new and emerging technologies to the rise of the gig economy and contingent workforce the way we live and work is being disrupted. Each year 20 million people in the US lose their job and that number will just increase as technological change both creates and destroys jobs and companies. What can you do to understand the changes, risks and opportunities the Fourth Industrial Revolution will bring? ​ We'll talk about how to: Understanding how emerging technologies will transform how business is done. The risks and opportunities to both jobs and entire companies. How to compete in the Automation Age, where machines are taking on more and more job tasks. How understanding what is special about you will become critical to positioning yourself for long term success. BIO: Larry Boyer is the author of The Robot In the Next Cubicle: What You Need to Know to Adapt and Succeed In the Automation Age. He is a Certified Business Economist™, ICF certified coach and Reach Personal Branding Strategist. He is on the Advisory Boards of the Rutgers Big Data program and TECH Pakistan and is a member of the Forbes Coaches Council. He founded Success Rockets LLC in the wake of the Great Recession after seeing how many people’s lives were completely changed, many literally overnight, as company after company failed. Larry helps individuals and businesses navigate the disruptions of the Fourth Industrial Revolution by understanding the evolving technology and business climates and developing strategies to grow, evolve and disrupt themselves for lasting success.

The Inner Critic is the main source of our biggest blocks to perform at our best. Our inner critic is the force behind our fears of being judged and criticized, highly critical self-talk, feeling like our ideas aren't good enough, and committing “ideacide.” Fortunately, we possess three mental power tools that, in combination, help stop the inner critic in its tracks. Making a commitment to silencing your inner critic will help you to get unstuck, do your best work, and channel your creativity as a force for positive change in the world as a contributor, collaborator, and leader.  We'll talk about how to: Identify voice of self-sabotage in your head and learn where it comes from. Employ the 3 mental power tools that will enable you to silence your inner critic. Free yourself from comparisons, fear of being judged, high self-criticism, feeling like you're not enough, and release the habits of believing you're not creative and second-guessing and killing your ideas. Transform your self-talk into a tool for success. Start embracing your expertise and share your brilliance with the world. Denise Jacobs is a Speaker + Author who speaks at conferences and consults with companies worldwide. As the Founder + CEO of The Creative Dose, keynote speaker, and trainer, she helps individuals in companies unleash their creativity through banishing their inner critic and hacking their creative brains. Denise’s keynotes and trainings give A Creative Dose™ – an injection of inspiration and immediately applicable tools to help people do their best work. Through working with Denise, people become engaged contributors, synergistic collaborators, and authentic leaders. Denise is the author of Banish Your Inner Critic, the premier handbook on silencing fears to unleash creativity. A web and tech industry veteran, Denise is also the author of The CSS Detective Guide and co-author of the Smashing Book #3 1/3 and Interact with Web Standards. She is also the founder of Rawk The Web and the Head Instigator of The Creativity (R)Evolution. Visit DeniseJacobs.com for more information.  

Are you stuck in an unsatisfying job or an industry that just isn't a fit? Get unstuck! Land a new career—one you’re genuinely passionate about. This month’s interview is with career coach and licensed psychologist Dr. Dawn Graham, author of "Switchers: How Smart Professionals Change Careers and Seize Success." Dawn will discuss proven strategies that will help you land your career change. Career switchers face unique challenges that demand fresh approaches. To succeed, you have to go beyond the basics, using tactics tailor-made to ensure your candidacy stands out. This session will help you to: Understand the concerns of hiring managers—and think like they do. Learn psychology principles that give you a competitive advantage. Rebrand aligning professional identity with new aspirations. Reach decision-makers by recruiting "ambassadors" from within one's network. Convince skeptical employers to take a chance on someone as a switcher. Dr. Dawn Graham is the Career Director for The MBA Program for Executives at The Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania, where she partners in setting strategy and supporting the EMBA students in achieving their career objectives through extensive programming and individual coaching. She also hosts a national call-in radio show on Sirius XM (Channel 132) “Career Talk,” writes regularly for Forbes.com under their leadership channel, and teaches Persuasive Communication to Wharton undergrads under the Management Department. Dawn’s new book “Switchers: How Smart Professionals Change Careers and Seize Success” (HarperCollins Leadership/AMACOM 2018) engages her background as a career expert, licensed psychologist and former corporate recruiter to provide a roadmap for career switchers to get beyond the hiring bias and land the job they want. Visit DrDawnonCareers.com to download a free chapter of the book, "Switchers"

Every organization is a collection of individual S – or learning curves. You build an A-team by optimizing these individual curves. By managing people all along the S-curve and knowing what to do when they reach the top of the curve. As employees are allowed, even required, to surf their individual S-curve waves, disrupting themselves, you will be less vulnerable to disruption and get the gold star -- be a boss people want to work for. You will learn: Why it's important to hire for potential rather than proficiency How to manage your team as a collection of S-curves How to examine your own mindset as it relates to disruption and looking at your employees as the true resources they are to your organization. How to manage, utilize and engage employees at all levels BIO: Whitney Johnson is one of the 50 leading business thinkers in the world (Thinkers50), an expert on disruptive innovation and personal disruption, a framework codified in the critically-acclaimed book Disrupt Yourself as well as Whitney’s new book published by Harvard Business Press in May 2018 - Build an 'A'-Team: Play To Their Strengths and Lead Them Up the Learning Curve; proprietary framework and diagnostics developed after co-founding the Disruptive Innovation Fund with Harvard Business School’s Clayton Christensen; former award-winning stock analyst on Wall Street; WBECS faculty; original cohort of Marshall Goldsmith's #100 Coaches; Coach for Harvard Business School's Executive Education, Harvard Business Review Contributor; LinkedInfluencer. Download a free chapter of Build an A Team.

In the book, the authors argue as the future of work changes, critical skills and expertise—not the number of degrees you have—will be imperative for companies and their employees to succeed, and the most successful companies are already thinking about how this will apply in a world where people are living—and working—longer. Gone are the days when a four-year degree guarantees job security and the skills to stay relevant for an entire career. With the latest scientific research on how people really learn and interviews from key leaders at Google, LinkedIn, Airbnb, and MasterCard and thought leaders in business, learning and education like Sal Khan, Clay Christensen, Daniel Pink, and Whitney Johnson, the authors challenge the business communities to let go of outdated and traditional ways of closing the skills gap and embrace the urgency of re-skilling and upskilling the workforce of the future now. Discover how to make learning a competitive advantage Understand the power of peers Learn how to combat content overload BIO: Kelly is on a mission to change the way the world learns. A well-known thought leader on learning, business, and career development, she is currently on the executive team of Degreed and was formerly the chief learning officer of LinkedIn. Prior to LinkedIn, Kelly was vice president of learning at Yahoo! and held executive positions in learning, M&A, and product development at Sun Microsystems. She is the author of The Expertise Economy: How the Smartest Companies Use Learning to Engage, Compete, and Succeed with David Blake, and speaks regularly at companies and business conferences around the world. She has been featured in the Financial Times, Fast Company, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc., Chief Learning Officer (CLO), and on Bloomberg radio. Kelly has a bachelor of arts in English communications and a master of science in adult learning and education technology and is joining us today from Sacramento. For more information visit https://degreed.com/kellypalmer#/overview: