Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/81. Melanie*’s job as an operations leader means she often has to say things people don’t want to hear. She got the role because she’s passionate, driven, and trusted to guide her company through some pretty big changes. But change always brings uncertainty, and how you show up and communicate can …

Find the full episode at yourfuturerealized.com/80. Yesterday someone kicked off our conversation by saying: " Why do I feel like I’m the one always picking up the slack? If I don’t step in, things fall apart. But if I do, I’m working every evening, drowning in work that isn’t mine!" If you’re an ops executive, and may sound pretty familiar, and it…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/79. You know Florence Griffith Joyner, right? The fastest woman in history. What makes her legendary isn’t just her speed, but how she embraced her uniqueness. Early on, she struggled with her starts. Her coaches doubted her potential as a top sprinter. But Flo-Jo didn’t let that define her. She st…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/78. Once upon a time, there was an operations executive who was brilliant. For years, she’d been the go-to problem solver, building a collaborative workplace that made her indispensable. One day, she was asked to present her ideas on stage. She’d never done this on such a large scale before. Self-d…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/77. You know how Chewbacca didn't get a medal at the end of the first Star Wars movie? I never understood that, considering how important he was in destroying the Death Star and saving the day. I do remember hearing that George Lucas had said medals don't matter to Wookiees. That they have differen…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/76. Picture this: You're in your office, and there's a knock on the door. It's Sarah from Accounting, and she's got that look on her face. You know the one. She's about to vent. Again. Is that ringing a bell? If you're an operations exec, I bet it does. You're the go-to person for getting things do…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/75. Ever catch yourself biting your tongue in a meeting, agreeing to yet another project when you're already swamped implementing big changes? You might be suffering from chronic people-pleasing, and it's costing you more than you think. In operations, efficiency is key. This habit of saying yes ca…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/74. Did you know that, according to Harvard Business Review, the average executive spends 23 hours a week in meetings*? Yet most of them have a hard time communicating their value? Think about it: 23 hours in conversation. But how much of that time is spent telling the story of what you bring to th…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/73. A client reached out, caught off guard by her boss’s unexpected invitation for coffee the next morning. Out of the blue. No details, no hints. This was way out of the ordinary. In years working together, he'd never suggested such an informal meet-up. And their relationship had seen its share of…

Check out the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/72. Are you feeling like you're always putting out fires instead of making real progress at work? I recently got to chat with Kristy Farewell, the brains behind Kairos Insights. She has over two decades of experience with Fortune 500 companies. We dug into how operations, culture, and performa…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/71. One of the worst pieces of advice I ever got was from a boss who thought being powerful meant being detached. To her, emotions were messy, and leadership was all about cold hard logic. I tried her way during a tough re-org, but it backfired. I felt disconnected from my team, like a malfunctioni…

For the full transcript, visit yourfuturerealized.com/70. What if you didn't have to choose between working hard and taking care of yourself? Is it possible to find that right balance? As an operations executive, you’re carrying the weight of such a demanding job, dealing with globalization, fierce competition, and limited resources among other thi…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/69. Working with operations leaders has shown me time and time again just how essential you all are in transforming chaos into order. Your strength, creativity, and humility are the backbone of your organization. It's not just about multitasking. It's mega-tasking: handling complex tasks across var…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/68. How often do you find yourself dwelling on a moment where you didn't quite shine? Perhaps it was a presentation that fell flat, a missed opportunity to highlight your team's achievements, or a hesitation that let a crucial opportunity slip away. It's not uncommon to revert to old patterns that …

Find the full transcript and more resources for operations executives at yourfuturerealized.com/67. Being an operations executive is no easy feat. Your attention is constantly pulled in lots of directions to keep the gears of your company running smoothly. And, you’re human, dealing with a lot of change, so you’re handling all of that while battlin…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/66. Adam seemed like the perfect leader for a tech start-up: visionary, problem-solver, and a great team motivator. But as year-end neared, some cracks started to show. Adam had trouble giving feedback and often avoided it altogether. When he did give feedback, it was using the classic 'sandwich' a…

Find the full episode at yourfuturerealized.com/65. Operations executives usually love to solve problems. And why not? It’s not just about fixing issues. It’s about creating seamless systems, putting the kibosh on bottlenecks and breakdowns, and ultimately driving the organization’s success. It is so satisfying to see a well-oiled machine in action…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/64. Does the idea of networking make you cringe? I get it. I've often joked that I'd rather re-grout my bathroom tiles or even sit through a root canal than network. As an introvert, small talk feels tedious and social media interactions lack the depth that I crave. I just enjoy one-on-one chats mu…

Find the full transcript and more resources for operations execs at yourfuturerealized.com/63. To everyone out there leading operations: I see you being the glue holding your organization together! In this special episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Mira Brancu, a seasoned consulting psychologist with leadership experience across vario…

Catch the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/62. Life in the fast lane. That is leading operations. Your calendar is a marathon of day-to-day firefighting and your to-do list stretches well past the hours in a day. You may not have had real breathing room for months or even years. You push yourself hard and feel guilty when things slip throu…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/61. Someone recently confided in me: “No matter what I try with my team, there’s this constant rumble of tension that won’t go away. It’s stressing me out. What am I missing?” Frustrating, right? Team dynamics are rarely straightforward. Even genuine efforts to connect can cause friction unintentio…

Find the full transcript at: yourfuturerealized.com/60. Are you feeling stuck in the background, the unsung hero of your company? Ever wonder why your contributions seem to go unnoticed? You’re in good company. Many operations leaders find themselves in this position. It’s easy to blame this oversight on the nature of operations, often unnoticed un…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/59. You've poured your heart and soul into leading operations. And things are humming along smoothly thanks to your expertise and dedication. So, when you’re expecting a little one, stepping away for maternity leave can of course be daunting. When someone is about to go on mat leave, they often won…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/58. As the person in charge of operations, you’re probably known as the one with all the answers. With rapid changes in technology and across industries, the pressure to know everything can be overwhelming. Can anyone really have all the answers? Many executives struggle without immediate solutions…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/57. Years ago, I led a growing department in a quickly-evolving business. It was a whirlwind experience, testing my limits, especially with a toddler at home. My boss once referred to me this way: "Whenever I toss anything even remotely in her direction, she just catches it and handles it!" I dined…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/56. Do you sometimes question your right to be leading operations? You're not alone. I know that even though you are the backbone of your organization, it can be easy to feel out of place and question your own value. In a role like yours, where precision and leadership converge, even executives wit…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/55. Leading operations is like running a mental marathon. You're constantly in motion to keep it all going smoothly. In the hustle of the day-to-day, it’s not unusual to look up and see others getting recognition and advancing, while you feel left behind. Other roles typically are more visible . So…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/54. Brainstorming sessions. They’re supposed to ignite creativity and bring out new ideas, right? In theory, it makes sense. For many, gathering with the team, with a whiteboard and markers, is a blast. The collective focus and the pressure to generate breakthroughs sounds fun. But for others, part…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/53. What sets apart someone who manages their time gracefully from someone who gets lost in the daily grind? Maybe the answer can be found in the practice of archery. Since diving into archery earlier this year, I’ve noticed that hitting a bullseye has a lot in common with wrangling a busy schedule…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/52. How good are you at handling feedback when it hits a nerve? When feedback feels more like an attack than constructive advice, it’s natural to feel defensive. Picture this feedback as a rough diamond. It’s abrasive at first, but underneath, there may be something super valuable. So, will you con…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/51. Think of a company’s operations as the wheels on a bus. They keep everything moving forward. Your role is crucial ensuring it stays on track by maintaining strong relationships across teams. Building healthy interdepartmental relationships is a unique skill, and it comes with its own challenges…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/50. Not too long ago, an Ops team lead reached out to me, feeling overwhelmed by her company’s layoffs and shake-ups. Her team was having a tough time adjusting. Morale was taking a nosedive. With all the chaos, staying focused and productive felt nearly impossible. She said to me: “I have to someh…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/49. Are you overwhelmed by your schedule, struggling to focus on what’s truly important? You’ll never have more time than your focus and discipline allow. What if you could reclaim your day and direct your energy where it matters most? Think of a sculptor, creating a masterpiece. They focus on the …

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/48. How often do you find yourself wishing for a seamless, hiccup-free day? Let’s face it. Your world will always be filled with challenges. From technology failures and workflow breakdowns to budget constraints and team conflicts, you’ve got a relentless stream of problems to solve. Over time, it …

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/47. As the ‘go-to person’ in your organization, do you struggle with feeling overwhelmed and underappreciated? Operations teams rarely get the spotlight unless something goes wrong. To change this, you need more than just hard work. You need to build a strong personal brand to get recognized and bo…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/46. Did you know that when the steam locomotive first exceeded 30 mph, a renowned doctor claimed that the human body would explode at 40 mph? This misguided and extreme belief mirrors a common constraint in operations teams. Always relying on the same dependable team members repeatedly may seem eff…

Check out the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/45. This morning, I was working with a VIP client. I asked her: “What do you need most today?” She laughed and said: “Help me accept help!” After listing her many challenges for the week, she got serious and said, “Logically, I know I can't do it alone, but how do I make myself actually believ…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/44. As an operations executive, you are the backbone of your organization. It’s remarkable how you keep everything running smoothly and manage crises day after day. But always being prepared for what’s next can be draining. Perpetually chasing success leaves little room for rest or satisfaction. I …

Are you ready to break free from the conventional career path and design a professional journey that’s tailored to your strengths and goals? I recently chatted with Dr. Sharon Hull. Sharon is a primary care expert, academic, researcher, and executive coach with over 30 years of experience, and she’s the author of Professional Careers by Design. Whe…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/42. An operations exec at a mid-sized manufacturing firm asked for help with a pressing issue. He revealed: “My team is 'eking by' with subpar performance. Even though they have clear objectives and ample skills, they lack drive. Everyone’s doing the bare minimum. I can’t figure it out, but it’s be…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/41. Many operations execs reach out for guidance when they are prepping for maternity leave. This momentous time requires thorough preparation and can be emotionally complex. Balancing the excitement of a new baby with your work can be challenging. How will your team manage without you? Will you fa…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/40. Picture this: You're in a high-stakes meeting at the big table. Decisions need to be made. The pressure is on. You begin to feel the weight of the situation. In that crucial moment, you take a deliberate deep breath, clearing your mind. And a new sense of composure, you tackle the problem head …

How can you tell if your business ops are due for an overhaul? Today I’m talking to Andrea Dunathan, a professional peer, business guru and one of my walking buddies. Andrea is the Principal Consultant and Owner of Dunathan Consulting. She’s a seasoned business operations consultant who helps businesses find and fix problems in their operations. We…

Check out the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/38. Operations execs often reach out to me when their confidence has been shaken by their superiors. Despite many years of expertise and dedication, being undermined is not uncommon, and it can be deeply disheartening. How do you survive unfair criticism, missed promotions, or other brutal rea…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/37. Starting a new position as an operations exec is an exciting time. It’s your chance to shape the future of your organization. And the stakes are high. You’re expected to hit the ground running. You need to earn the trust and respect of your team quickly. So, where do you begin? Whether this is …

Check out the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/36. A client confided to me in a moment of exasperation: "I'm drowning in responsibilities. Don’t even know what to do first, because everything is critical. It feels like burnout is always just around the corner.” This feeling is all too common among operations executives. Given the relentles…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/35. Are your daily tasks getting in the way of important projects that could help your team and organization grow? As an operations exec, your ability to ensure smooth operations is vital. But what sets successful organizations apart is their ability to execute strategic initiatives effectively. Ev…

Check out the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/34. What does it take to move from an operational role to a strategic one? This was the burning question on Emily’s mind when we first crossed paths. She was great at overseeing the day-to-day as an operations executive at a top professional services firm. After eight years in her role, she wa…

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/33. Leading operations, you have considerable influence over your organization’s success. You’re orchestrating the flow across your company’s processes and every detail counts. Even small mistakes can cause problems that make big ripples. This high-stakes environment can place a lot of pressure on …

Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/32. The least helpful tip for being productive I ever got was to pack every day with blocks of time dedicated to just one task. At first it seemed promising and gave my days a sense of structure and purpose. But it quickly proved counterproductive, limiting and stressful. It didn’t give me flexibil…