Are you the strongest leader you can possibly be? And if not, ever wonder what other elite leaders know and do that you aren’t, which may be stopping you from bringing your A+ game? The Lead at the Top of Your Game Podcast celebrates the ingenuity, resilience and execution excellence of firebrand leaders who are doing big things in their profession or industry by boldly dancing on the edge and playing by their own rules. Organizational psychologist & leadership tactics strategist, Karan Ferr ...
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Karan Ferrell Rhodes And Shockingly Different Leadership Podcasts
Pick your choice of executive research studies and you’ll find that most of the C-suite say that the gap between the employee talent they currently have and the skills that are needed is what keeps them up at night. Executives are being forced to boldly question long-held assumptions about how work should be done, who should do it, and the role of the physical office and technology solutions. That’s why Blended Workforces are one of the hottest talent strategies today. For those who don’t kn ...
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Unlocking Innovation Via Smart Staffing with Sara Fortier
34:30
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34:30IN THIS EPISODE... Sarah Fortier is the CEO of Outwitly Inc. She shares her journey from industrial design to founding Outwitly in 2016, initially as a consulting firm and later focusing on staffing. Fortier emphasizes the importance of proactive contractors, effective onboarding, and maintaining a supportive community through Slack and coaching. S…
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Learning, Leading, and Leaping In with Carrie Stokes
32:59
32:59
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32:59IN THIS EPISODE... Carrie Stokes, CEO and President of Barge Design Solutions, discusses her journey from intern to CEO, emphasizing the importance of advocating for oneself, continuous learning, and strategic decision-making. She highlights Barge's new five-year strategic plan and the need for innovation, particularly in cybersecurity and work pro…
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Using Learning Technology to Enhance Business Strategy with Brendan Noud
35:29
35:29
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35:29IN THIS EPISODE... Brendan Noud, CEO and co-founder of LearnUpon, discusses the evolution of his learning management system (LMS) company. LearnUpon, which was founded by two individuals in 2012, and now employs over 300 people worldwide. Brendan highlights the importance of AI in enhancing administrative tasks and learner engagement. He also empha…
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Growth Mindset as a Leadership Game Changer with Rhonda Anderson
35:32
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35:32IN THIS EPISODE... Dr. Rhonda Anderson discusses her path from being a first-generation college graduate to founding Silver Hawk Coaching and Consulting after years of experience in talent development across various industries. She shares how her personal journey and expertise inspired her to help leaders and organizations grow. She highlights her …
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Remote Leadership Under Pressure During a Turnaround with Andy Allaway
32:53
32:53
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32:53IN THIS EPISODE... Karan interviews Andy Allaway, CEO of Empire Flippers, delving into his professional journey, leadership philosophy, and the challenges he faced steering the company through industry changes. Andy shares insights from his early career in IT sales, his transition into online business, and his eventual rise to CEO, highlighting the…
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The Silent Killer of Performance and Profits with Sherry Yellin
35:14
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35:14IN THIS EPISODE... Dr. Sherry Yellin, president of The Yellin Group, is the author of several books on leadership and is driven by a passion for understanding how the brain learns and how this knowledge can transform leadership and organizational culture. She shares her journey from academia to entrepreneurship, recounting pivotal moments that shap…
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Using Purpose to Fuel Innovation with Brandon Sawalich
32:23
32:23
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32:23IN THIS EPISODE... Brandon Sawalich, President and CEO of Starkey, discusses his 31-year journey at the company. He shares insights into his personal and professional journey, describing how he began as an intern and went on to lead the only American-owned hearing technology manufacturer. Brandon explores his leadership philosophy of servant leader…
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Tackling the AI Confidence Crisis with Kevin Knieriem
33:57
33:57
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33:57IN THIS EPISODE... Kevin Knieriem, President and Chief Revenue Officer at Clari discusses his career journey, emphasizing his role in driving revenue growth and leveraging AI to enhance sales processes. Knieriem highlights the importance of trust in revenue data, noting that 67% of enterprise leaders lack confidence in their data. He stresses the e…
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Fractional, Functional and Fully Aligned Workforces with Laura Azzarella
32:43
32:43
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32:43IN THIS EPISODE... Laura Azzarella, co-founder of Applied Potential Solutions, shares her journey from media production to HR, emphasizing the importance of leveraging technology, particularly AI, to automate administrative tasks and optimize HR processes. She highlights the need for proper onboarding and communication with vendors to ensure succes…
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Executing Resilience Without a Roadmap with Stephane Akoki
36:04
36:04
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36:04IN THIS EPISODE... Stephane Akoki, CEO of Elevate Côte d'Ivoire, shares how he overcame significant challenges in Côte d'Ivoire, including civil wars and economic instability, by pursuing education abroad and eventually founding Elevate Côte d'Ivoire. His nonprofit now operates across six African countries, providing educational and job opportuniti…
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How Hope for Ukraine is Reinventing Humanitarian Aid with Yuriy Boyechko
29:25
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29:25IN THIS EPISODE... Yuriy Boyechko, CEO of Hope for Ukraine, shares the inspiring journey behind founding the nonprofit and its rapid scale-up in response to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The organization partners with over 100 local groups to deliver food, solar energy, and vital aid. Yuriy highlights the role of impact in driving volunteer motivat…
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Behind the Buzzwords of HR Transformation with Sarah Smart
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30:35IN THIS EPISODE... Meet Sarah Smart, the co-founder of HorizonHuman. Sarah leads initiatives in HR transformation and AI-driven talent strategies. In this conversation, she discusses how emerging technologies and evolving business needs reshape HR. Sarah emphasizes the critical role of AI literacy, user-centered design, and strategic decision-makin…
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How Employee Connectedness Fuels Nerdio with Joseph Landes
29:57
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29:57IN THIS EPISODE... Joseph Landes, Co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Nerdio, shares insights into the company's mission, culture, and growth. He explains how Nerdio simplifies Microsoft Cloud technologies for businesses of all sizes, emphasizing their commitment to remote work through programs like the "Mayor Program" and the "Nerdio Break Roo…
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Utilizing Transformative Leadership to Lead the Impact of AI with Jennifer Langton
35:48
35:48
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35:48IN THIS EPISODE... Jennifer Langton is a dynamic speaker and accomplished executive recognized for her expertise in innovation, finance, and sports safety. With leadership roles at Atari and the NFL, she pioneered advanced financial systems and spearheaded groundbreaking health initiatives. In this conversation, she opens up about her personal jour…
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Episode 42 | Reducing Legal Risk Without More Rules with Rich Lee
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33:06
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33:06IN THIS EPISODE... Rich Lee, CEO and Founder of New Era ADR, discusses how his company is transforming the resolution of legal disputes. New Era ADR offers fast, online arbitration that takes only 100 days and can save up to 90% in time and cost. Rich explains that the platform is fair, easy to use, and doesn't need major tech changes. He shares ho…
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How Corporate Safety Drives Business Transformation with Tyrone Farmer
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32:17IN THIS EPISODE... Tyrone Farmer, the Senior Director of Corporate Safety at Dycom Industries Inc., shares insights on building a strong safety culture in the telecom construction industry. He explains Dycom's mission to connect underserved communities, emphasizing that safety is a key driver of operational excellence. He also highlights the import…
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Scaling People and Not Just Profit with Dr. Lakila Bowden
30:57
30:57
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30:57IN THIS EPISODE... Dr. Lakila Bowden, Chief Operating Officer of iSee Technologies, shares her insights on transforming workplace culture through inclusive leadership and practical experience. She explores the challenges and opportunities in blended workforces, emphasizing collaboration among traditional employees, contractors, and technology. Dr. …
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Critical Behaviors That Foster a Civil Workplace with Stephen Paskoff
32:51
32:51
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32:51IN THIS EPISODE... Stephen Paskoff, founder, president, and CEO of Employment Learning Innovations, Inc. (ELI), discusses the importance of creating civil, respectful workplaces. He shares real-life examples from high-stakes environments where fear of speaking up led to serious consequences. Stephen emphasizes the need for open communication, addre…
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A Blueprint for Revitalizing and Transforming Teams with Marilyn Rosa-Green
30:03
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30:03IN THIS EPISODE... Meet Marilyn Rosa-Green, an executive leadership coach and psychotherapist with deep expertise in guiding leaders in the manufacturing industry. In this conversation, Marilyn explores leadership challenges in manufacturing. She stresses the need for careful talent selection and a supportive environment to combat burnout, identify…
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Using Blended Workforces to Drive Millions in Revenue with Geoffrey Toffetti
32:31
32:31
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32:31IN THIS EPISODE... Geoffrey Toffetti, CEO of Frontline Performance Group (FPG), shares insights into the company's strategic evolution and leadership philosophy. He discusses FPG's shift to a SaaS model, driven by efficiency goals, COVID-19's impact, and the need for scalability. Geoffrey outlines the benefits and challenges of blended workforces, …
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The Leadership Illusion That's Costing You Talent with Dr. Tajiri Brackens
32:22
32:22
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32:22IN THIS EPISODE... ------------ Full show notes, guest bio, links to resources mentioned, and other compelling episodes can be found at http://LeadYourGamePodcast.com. (Click the magnifying icon at the top right and type “[NAME]”) Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Learn more about us! https://shockinglydifferent.com/ ------------- …
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The Four Faces of Frustration with Andrew Oxley
33:49
33:49
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33:49IN THIS EPISODE... Andrew Oxley is the founder and CEO of the Oxley Group, an executive and leadership coaching firm. In this episode, Andrew shares insights on leadership and training trends. He highlights how COVID-19 accelerated shifts from traditional workshops to more impactful leadership development. Andrew discusses rising employee expectati…
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How Improv Skills Drive Exceptional Leadership with Kristen Brun Sharkey
29:46
29:46
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29:46IN THIS EPISODE... Kristen Brun Sharkey, Founder and Executive Coach of Emboldify, highlights how improv transformed her confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills—key elements in Emboldify's AdLib Leader Model, which includes presence, authenticity, vulnerability, resilience, creativity, and supportiveness. Kristen explains how improv combat…
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How a Start-up Mindset Can Overcome Failures with Pascal Yammine
28:48
28:48
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28:48IN THIS EPISODE... In this episode, we discuss the complexities of pricing in the business world and Pascal Yammine’s approaches to leadership. He emphasizes the importance of agility in pricing strategies in today's volatile market. Pascal shares his leadership insights, focusing on authenticity, the significance of people, and learning from mista…
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Grow or Die: Taking Advantage of Global Talent with Pranav Dalal
30:19
30:19
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30:19IN THIS EPISODE... Pranav Dalal, CEO and Founder of Office Beacon, explores topics such as leveraging global talent, offshoring benefits, post-COVID workforce strategies, and the importance of corporate culture. Pranav offers insights on scaling businesses and managing global challenges within Office Beacon. His vision emphasizes cost-effective sta…
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Reimaging Companies as Living Organizations with Norman Wolfe
30:26
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30:26IN THIS EPISODE... Norman Wolfe, founder and CEO of Quantum Leaders, Inc., shares insights on transforming businesses through his concept of the "living organization." He explains that 70% of organizations fail to meet strategic goals despite abundant leadership wisdom. Instead of viewing organizations as machines, Norman emphasizes treating them a…
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How Confidence Can Transform Trauma to Triumph with Sheena Yap Chan
27:49
27:49
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27:49IN THIS EPISODE... Meet Sheena Yap Chan, a bestselling author, keynote speaker, strategist, and award-winning podcaster known for using media platforms to help others strengthen leadership and self-confidence. In this conversation, Sheena discusses the challenges women face in building confidence, including societal pressures, cultural traditions, …
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Understanding Freebirds: Why Independent Work is Soaring with Miles Everson
32:14
32:14
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32:14IN THIS EPISODE... Miles Everson, the CEO of MBO Partners, discusses the evolution of MBO Partners from My Business Office into a service supporting independent professionals. He outlines the company's offerings, including worker classification, direct sourcing, and administrative support. Miles introduces the "Free Birds" concept, emphasizing inde…
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Decoding Cultural Difference at Work with Naama Zalzman
33:10
33:10
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33:10IN THIS EPISODE... Naama Zalzman, founder and CEO of Effective Leadership Across Cultures, discusses the challenges and strategies for leading in multicultural environments. She highlights the need for leaders to adapt their communication styles and be aware of cultural nuances to avoid misunderstandings. Naama shares insights on navigating cultura…
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Building an A-team That Shares Your Vision with Allison Maslan
33:12
33:12
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33:12IN THIS EPISODE... During today's conversation, Allison Maslin, founder and CEO of the Pinnacle Global Network, shares insights on building scalable companies. Sharing her journey, she reflects on lessons from her father, highlighting the importance of focusing on what works. After experiencing burnout and a car accident, Allison shifted her approa…
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Why Trust is Key to Being the Go-to Person at Work with Tracy LaLonde
29:01
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29:01IN THIS EPISODE... Tracy LaLonde, founder of Joychiever and author of "Trust Me" and "The Joychiever Journey," joins today to discuss the complexities of trust in professional environments. She explores whether trust should be earned or given, emphasizing small, intentional steps to build it, especially in remote work settings. Tracy outlines six k…
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How Law Firms Are Using Freelancers to Scale with Laurie Rowen
33:59
33:59
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33:59IN THIS EPISODE... Laurie Rowen, founder and co-owner of Montage Legal Group, joins us today to discuss how her company revolutionized legal consulting with a network of over 450 freelance lawyers. She shares her journey from UCLA and USD Law School to founding Montage Legal Group alongside Erin Giglia, driven by their need for flexibility as new m…
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Using Leadership Coaching to Prepare the CEO's Successor with Heather Conklin
31:59
31:59
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31:59IN THIS EPISODE... Heather Conklin, CEO of Torch, discusses her journey from Salesforce to Torch, emphasizing the importance of executive coaching and leadership development. She highlights Torch's unique approach, which pairs former leaders as coaches with employees, providing context-specific coaching. Heather shares insights on the current chall…
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The Hidden Power Organizations Fail to Use with Kamal Pradhan
35:52
35:52
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35:52IN THIS EPISODE... Kamal Pradhan is a distinguished HR executive and the Vice President of HR Technology and Operations at Signify Health. In this conversation, Kamal shares insights on blending workforces, integrating technology, and the evolving role of HR in a digital era. He highlights trends in remote employment and the challenges of HR techno…
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Integrating Wellness to Increase Leadership Impact with Elena Agaragimova
31:34
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31:34IN THIS EPISODE... Elena Agaragimova, Co-Founder of ShiftWell.ai and a specialist in talent development, discusses the challenges mid-level managers face, emphasizing their crucial role in organizations. She highlights the impact of stress, workplace dynamics, and AI on leadership, stressing the need for well-being through sleep, nutrition, and hyd…
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The Honest Truth About Global Outsourcing with Russell Meiselman
34:38
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34:38IN THIS EPISODE... Russell Meiselman, President & Co-Founder of ClarkStaff, discusses his company's role in business process outsourcing (BPO). He highlights strategies for retaining talent through career development and a positive work environment. He addresses concerns about outsourcing, emphasizing the need for strong remote management and clear…
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Turn Work Into Your Own Leadership Learning Lab with Jessica Hartung
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33:35IN THIS EPISODE... Join us as we discuss the transformative power of learning labs in the workplace. Jessica highlights how customized learning experiences enhance leadership, engagement, and retention. Emphasizing the integration of learning into daily work, she explores the role of peers in fostering collective growth. She also shares insights fr…
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Hot HR and Workforce Trends with Shari Simpson
31:03
31:03
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31:03IN THIS EPISODE... In this fascinating episode, we explore key trends and challenges in HR, including AI adoption, inclusion, and the impact of the geopolitical climate on business strategy. Shari Simpson discusses her transition from mental health to HR, her role in thought leadership at Paylocity, and the importance of listening more and talking …
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How Skeptics and Crazy Ideas Drive Great Leadership with Joe Davis
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31:45
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31:45IN THIS EPISODE... Joe Davis, MD and Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group, reflects on his 35-year career, leadership philosophy, and upcoming retirement. He shares insights from his book, The Generous Leader, emphasizing the power of collaboration, inclusion, and understanding others' perspectives. Joe discusses BCG's evolution into a more ha…
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Being Happy in a Blended Workforce with Mine Dedekoca
32:46
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32:46IN THIS EPISODE... Mine Dedekoca is the founder and Chief Happiness Officer of Happy Work Studio. By transforming workplace culture, her company helps organizations create happy, fulfilled, and self-aware employees. In this conversation, Mine discusses how Happy Work Studio evolved from Stardust, shifting focus from remote work logistics to employe…
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How Leading With Heart Drives Results with Lyndsay Dowd
32:28
32:28
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32:28IN THIS EPISODE... Meet Lyndsay Dowd, an award-winning business coach, speaker, and host of the globally ranked Heartbeat for Hire podcast! Today, Lyndsay explores the critical role of leadership in shaping workplace culture, emphasizing trust, psychological safety, and open communication. She shares personal experiences, highlighting the dangers o…
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How Work Patterns Power the Future of Employee Productivity with Sam Naficy
28:29
28:29
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28:29IN THIS EPISODE... Sam Naficy, Chairman and CEO of Prodoscore Inc., shares insights into how his AI-powered platform optimizes employee productivity by analyzing data from cloud tools like email, CRM, and chat applications. He addresses cultural concerns, emphasizing Prodoscore's employee-centric approach and business benefits, such as performance …
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The Imperative of the Age of Conscious Leadership with Marissa Levin
34:07
34:07
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34:07IN THIS EPISODE... This episode provides valuable guidance for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses while maintaining a strong, purpose-driven culture! Marissa Levin, a five-time entrepreneur, best-selling author, and leadership expert, shares her journey from founding Information Experts to launching I5 Conscious Leadership. She discuss…
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Using Tech to Enhance Work-Life Balance with Emily Johnson
30:58
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30:58IN THIS EPISODE... Emily Johnson, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Overalls, is on a mission to simplify life's complexities through tech-enabled concierge services. A startup veteran, she was the third employee at AppNexus, co-founded Tutorlist (now known as Selected), and led product teams at LearnVest, Haven Life, Fabric, and Dayforward. …
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Ditching Your Title to Better Champion Leadership with Thomas Barnette
35:20
35:20
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35:20IN THIS EPISODE... Meet Thomas Barnette, CEO and founder of Impaxion Consulting, a human capital firm offering executive coaching, leadership development, and DEI consulting. Today, he shares his journey from a musically gifted childhood to founding Impaxion. Thomas discusses leadership challenges, the importance of empathy in business, and creatin…
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Helping Workforces Survive the Busy Times of the Year with Cheryl Swirnow
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33:39IN THIS EPISODE... The busiest times of the year can overwhelm employees and HR teams alike, requiring companies to rethink how they support their workforce. How can businesses navigate these peak seasons effectively while maintaining productivity and employee well-being? Cheryl Swirnow, founder of CMS Consultants, joins us today to share insights …
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How Women Executives Can Stand in Their Power with Dr. Alessandra Wall
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35:44IN THIS EPISODE... Meet Dr. Alessandra Wall, Chief Executive Officer of Noteworthy. Dr. Alessandra combines science, psychology, leadership best practices, and strategic focus to help clients overcome obstacles and build fulfilling careers. In this conversation, she discusses how women executives can stand in their power by overcoming challenges, b…
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Farewell Season 3. Welcome to Season 4, Launching February 1, 2025!
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2:02IN THIS EPISODE... We bid goodbye to a tremendous Season 3 of the podcast while we also wish our listeners a safe and wonderful holiday season. We also welcome all of our listeners, new and old, back for Season 4, which will launch February 1, 2025. ------------ Full show notes, guest bio, links to resources mentioned, and other compelling episodes…
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Farewell Season 1. Welcome to Season 2, Launching February 1, 2025!
2:13
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2:13IN THIS EPISODE... We bid goodbye to a tremendous Season 1 of the podcast while we also wish our listeners a safe and wonderful holiday season. We also welcome all of our listeners, new and old, back for Season 2, which will launch February 1, 2025. ------------ Full show notes, links to resources mentioned, and other compelling episodes can be fou…
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Leading with Guts, Grit and Savvy with Sam Rockaway
32:40
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32:40IN THIS EPISODE... Meet Sam Rockaway, Senior Vice President of Sales at REDCOM, a leader with over 30 years of entrepreneurial and sales expertise. Sam has been instrumental in REDCOM's growth and innovation, from founding private businesses to excelling in construction, setting a benchmark for leadership in the commercial construction industry. Th…
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