Excellence Matters

This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!  In this solo episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh explores the real impact of excellence and why it’s essential to organizational success. Excellence isn’t just a lofty ideal—it’s a practical, strategic advantage. Customers notice when we go above and beyond, and that level of quality is key to building satisfaction and loyalty. Team members notice too; when mediocrity is tolerated, top performers are more likely to disengage or walk away, making excellence vital to retention and morale. And ultimately, the bottom line feels it—because when excellence slips, so does profitability. Join Sinikka as she unpacks why excellence matters and how it shapes the health and success of the entire organization.   Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email! Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, “try this now” approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).

This episode is brought to you by the Change Maker's Certification Program. In this episode of Even Better, host Sinikka Waugh sits down with Carrie Copley to explore how we can find more joy, even in the midst of life's challenges. Carrie shares personal stories and insightful questions designed to shift your perspective, like "What letter grade would you give your life?" and "Which part was your fault?" They dive into the power of vulnerability, visioning, and how understanding your "why" can help guide you through obstacles. Whether your life turned out as expected or not, Carrie’s message is clear: joy is found in embracing the journey, trusting the process, and speaking your truth. This conversation is especially relatable for women but speaks to anyone navigating the ups and downs of life. Tune in for inspiration on how to live with purpose, love, and more joy. I’ve been where you are and I’m living proof that change is possible. It was the acknowledgement that I wasn’t living the life I had dreamed that pushed me to learn more about how I could live a more fulfilling life. In doing so, I leaned on my faith while I cultivated insight and tools to help myself and eventually others reach their full potential. I have merged my extensive schooling and years of practical experience to develop a faith-based understanding of how to inspire others to reach their life goals. My practical experience includes: BA in Sociology from Iowa State University More than two decades working in leadership positions in the non-profit and corporate environment Studied with the Career Coaching Institute Elite Life Coaching Certification from the Coach Mindset Elite Life Coach Training Program Board Certified Mental Health Coach (AACC) Certified Stephen Ministry Leader Certified Spiritual Director I’m married to my best friend Chad, and we have four children. We live in Ames, Iowa and in our free time, we enjoy lake activities, attending Iowa State sporting events, biking, running, hiking, church activities and just hanging out with family and friends.   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loveyourlifecoaching LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrielcopley/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carrielcopley/

This episode is brought to you by the Change Maker's Certification Program.   In this episode of Even Better, When Things Don't Go as Planned, host Sinikka Waugh is joined by guest Christine Samuel for a heartfelt conversation about navigating tough moments in relationships. They explore how to rebuild trust and authenticity when things don't go as expected. From dealing with emotional frustrations to practicing vulnerability, they dive deep into how relationships can recover and grow after moments of disappointment. With insights from the Your Clear Next Step class, they discuss key principles like freedom from judgment, lifting one another up, and embracing the desire to learn and grow from conflict. Whether you're navigating personal relationships or seeking a deeper understanding of human connection, this episode offers valuable tools for moving through difficult moments with grace and compassion.   Christine Samuel is a coach, author, facilitator, and speaker dedicated to bringing relational intelligence and heart-centered leadership into the way humans live, work, lead and connect in a changing world. As the founder of Inner Work Matters and the Listening Lab, Christine has pioneered Deep Listening Circles and delivered the TEDx Talk “How Deep Listening Can Change Our World.” As the author of "The Heart Space: Living with Grace and Ease in an Era of Uncertainty," she maps a revolutionary path, transforming our fear of life’s uncertainties into a compass that guides us toward living with unprecedented ease and clarity. Websites: https://www.innerworkmatters.com and https://christinesamuel.ca The Heart Space: Living with Grace and Ease Download a Free Chapter here! TEDx talk: How Deep Listening can Change the World

This episode is brought to you by the Change Maker's Certification Program.   Abby Martinez is a multi-passionate entrepreneur, business coach, and founder of Well Balanced Business. With extensive experience scaling her own agency to multi-six figures, Abby empowers female entrepreneurs and leaders to align their business growth with personal fulfillment. Specializing in self-leadership, emotional resilience, systems, and sustainable scaling, Abby helps clients move beyond burnout and into authentic, purpose-driven success. Abby can be contacted by email at [email protected] or you can visit her website: abbymartinezcoaching.com.   In this episode of Nervous System Regulation as a Leader, we explore how self-leadership starts with managing your time, energy, and mindset to show up fully. We discuss the role of the nervous system in leadership and how staying in your Window of Regulation helps you stay focused, make decisions, and recover from stress. Simple tools like deep breathing and movement breaks can keep you grounded, while self-awareness helps you stay aligned. Learn how a regulated leader creates a ripple effect of trust and connection with others. Start small with self-leadership habits and watch the transformation unfold.

This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program! Lisa Even knows firsthand that leadership isn’t about tracking metrics or delivering perfect PowerPoint slides—it’s about creating a culture where people choose to show up, engage, and make an impact. Early in her career, Lisa thought doing “all the right things” as a leader—tracking numbers, holding others accountable, and saying “good job” often—would be enough. But when her engagement scores landed squarely in the middle ofthe pack, she realized something had to change. Instead of giving up, Lisa redefined her approach.  Lisa’s first job was at a tiny café, serving breakfast and coffee to farmers, truckers, and locals. That experience taught her an invaluable lesson: meet people where they are. You can’t pour a big enough cup of joe or fake-smile someone into being happier—they’ll see right through it. And at a coffee shop, they’ll definitely let you know! Real connection requires a calm nerve, a genuine effort to understand others, and the ability to see eachother as human. She carried those lessons into the corporate workplace. Lisa replaced rigidity with autonomy, task lists withauthentic connection and curiosity, and top-down accountability with shared ownership. She asked herself, What if leadership starts with a Good Ripple Effect? At first, it felt aspirational. But Lisa quickly realized that by shifting her own attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs, she was influencing others to do the same. One step at a time, her team began transforming their environment and building a culture worth keeping. The results? Turnover dropped, engagement scores soared, and the team thrived. Today, Lisa helps organizations do just that. Through hilariously relatable stories (cue Paul and the company potluck), actionable strategies, and practical, repeatable frameworks (because let’s be honest, leaders don’thave time for fluff), Lisa guides leaders and teams to foster leadership presence, build human connection, and drive meaningful engagement. The result? High-performing teams and workplace cultures that balance purpose, productivity, and profit—creating a Good Ripple Effect that lasts.   Join us for an inspiring conversation with Lisa Even as we explore the art of experimenting—whether it's in work, life, or those everyday moments. In this episode, we talk about the importance of trying new things, embracing failure, and finding joy in the process. Life is an experiment, and each step is an opportunity to grow and enjoy the journey. Plus, enjoy a lighthearted story about Paul and potlucks, reminding us that sometimes the best things come when we step out of our comfort zones. Tune in and get ready to live in the lab of life!

This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!   Christine Samuel is a coach, author, facilitator, and speaker dedicated to bringing relational intelligence and heart-centered leadership into the way humans live, work, lead and connect in a changing world. As the founder of Inner Work Matters and the Listening Lab, Christine has pioneered Deep Listening Circles and delivered the TEDx Talk “How Deep Listening Can Change Our World.” As the author of "The Heart Space: Living with Grace and Ease in an Era of Uncertainty," she maps a revolutionary path, transforming our fear of life’s uncertainties into a compass that guides us toward living with unprecedented ease and clarity.   In this episode we explore the dynamic interplay between the head and the heart in navigating workplace uncertainty. We discuss the difference between analytical thinking and heart-centered intuition, highlighting how over-relying on the mind can trap us in repetitive patterns. Tune in to learn how holding space for both our desire for control and our need for creative freedom can transform our approach to work. We’ll uncover how integrating heart-centered practices can lead to a more authentic, fluid, and fulfilling work experience.

This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!  Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email! Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, “try this now” approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).   In this episode of Even Better, we explore the powerful idea that caring for others isn’t an act of sacrifice or selflessness—it’s a choice that can lift us all. #6 of 10 Things in the 100th episode, Sinikka talks about how showing up for others doesn’t drain us, but fuels us. When we give our best, we create ripples of hope and light. It’s about the encouragement we receive in return and the joy of seeing others uplifted. Don't apologize for caring—what we put out into the world has a way of coming back. Tune in for a refreshing take on how looking out for each other strengthens us all, builds faith, and inspires us to keep doing good—no matter the circumstances.

This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!  Brian Robbins has been a leader throughout his 30-plus year career as a professional who builds relationships, organizes situations and teams, and collaborates to solve problems.  Brian has a B.B.A. in Finance from Iowa State University.  His career has been mostly focused in the Des Moines metropolitan area and has spanned a diverse set of business verticals including publishing, financial services, agriculture, healthcare, technology services, and retail.  Brian’s approachable and collaborative work style, complemented by exceptional organizational skills, enable him to easily engage teams to focus and deliver.  Brian enjoys learning and helping others grow, including mentoring several young professionals and colleagues.   In this episode, Brian and Sinikka explore the art of leadership in both business and life, emphasizing that leadership is a learned skill, not just an innate trait. Drawing from personal experiences and Biblical examples, including Jesus’ servant leadership, we highlight how leaders shape teams, influence outcomes, and guide others toward shared goals. We also discuss the omnipresence of leadership—whether in business, families, or faith communities—and how selfless acts, like Jesus’ interaction with the woman who touched His robe, demonstrate the power of connection. Tune in for practical lessons on growing as a leader and leading with purpose.

This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!    David Ziemann is a technology leader with over 15 years of experience guiding high-performing software teams. As the founder of MoreThanCoders | Soft Skills Guides and Resources for Software Engineers , he is passionate about helping technology professionals build the skills not taught in school—like communication, conflict resolution, and leadership. David empowers others to thrive in their careers and create positive impact in their organizations.   In this discussion on positive influence, Sinikka and David explore how to lift others up through inspiration, trust, and empowerment. Influence isn’t just about authority or charisma; it’s about making a meaningful impact by providing value, building strong relationships, and empowering those around you. By focusing on solving real problems, aligning with shared goals, and acting with integrity, you can create an environment where trust thrives. Encouraging autonomy, recognizing contributions, and embracing diverse perspectives further enhance your ability to lift others, helping them grow while strengthening the collective success of the team. Through these actions, anyone can become a powerful force for good, elevating those around them and creating lasting positive change. 

This episode is brought to you by the Change Makers Certification Program!  Sinikka Waugh - Connect with me on either LinkedIn or send me an email! Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, “try this now” approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).   Build More Forts is about finding joy, even in the toughest seasons. Hosted by Sinikka, this episode invites you to shift your focus from darkness and discouragement to the intentional pursuit of joy. After experiencing a tough year both personally and in business, and feeling off-track, Sinikka discovered that joy isn’t something that just happens—it’s a choice you make. In this episode, she shares how to intentionally seek out joy, even when life feels hard or uncertain. Through personal stories and practical insights, Sinikka encourages listeners to make time for joy, and for her that looks like trusting in God, and choosing to look beyond the darkness. Yes, at times, it means to actually build the fort! If you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed, Build More Forts is a reminder that joy is always within reach—if you choose to go there.