Leading to Win

S2 E11: Alan Lazaros

In this episode of the Lead to Win Podcast, we visit with Alan Lazaros--CEO and founder of Next Level University, about the importance of self-belief and self-worth in leadership. Alan shares his personal journey of overcoming adversity and developing self-belief. He emphasizes that self-belief is crucial for setting and achieving goals, as well as facing and growing from challenges. Alan also discusses the duality of adversity and self-belief, noting that while adversity can contribute to self-discipline, it is not a guarantee. He encourages leaders to focus on personal and professional development and to be ambidextrous in their leadership approach. In this conversation, Alan Lazaros discusses the different modalities of thinking and how they impact self-belief and self-worth. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the 0.04% of things that truly matter and doubling down on them. Alan also highlights the significance of leading by example and how it can boost the self-worth of the people you lead. He shares formulas for building self-belief and self-worth, and emphasizes the importance of keeping promises to yourself, setting boundaries, and having the courage to stand up for yourself. Episode Takeaways: Self-belief is essential for setting and achieving goals. Adversity can contribute to self-discipline and growth. Self-belief can be developed, but it is less likely without experiencing adversity. Leaders should focus on personal and professional development and be ambidextrous in their leadership approach. Focus on the 0.04% of things that truly matter and double down on them. Leading by example is crucial for boosting the self-worth of the people you lead. Building self-belief involves stating your goals, proving them through action, and self-assigning the success or failure. Building self-worth involves keeping promises to yourself, setting boundaries, having the courage to stand up for yourself, and investing in your growth. Comparing yourself to others can crumble your self-worth, so focus on comparing apples to apples and appreciate your own journey. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:40 Alan's Personal Journey 07:42 The Importance of Self-Belief 24:47 Developing Self-Discipline 27:08 Different Modalities of Thinking 28:44 Different Modalities of Thinking and Their Impact 32:09 Leading by Example and Boosting Self-Worth 34:48 Building Self-Belief and Self-Worth through Promises, Boundaries, and Courage 37:20 The Formula for Self-Worth 47:58 Overcoming Fear of Success or Failure 51:46 Doing All You Can with the Hand You Were Dealt 54:56 Next Level University: Success and Fulfillment Next Level University Website: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/ *Music by Alex Grohl on Pixabay

S2 E10: David Kitchen

In this episode of the Lead to Win podcast, we sit down with Coach David Kitchen, the founder of Edge Leadership Academy. They discuss David's journey as a college strength coach, the importance of habits tied to principles, and how leadership style can impact organizational performance. David emphasizes the need for overcommunication, modeling the mission and values, and praising the process. He also highlights the importance of adaptability and developing a toolbox of leadership skills. Overall, the conversation explores strategies and mindsets for successful leadership and personal development. The conversation explores the importance of leadership principles, emotional intelligence, and adaptability in bringing out the best in people. It emphasizes the need for leaders to understand and cater to the individual needs and learning styles of their team members. The discussion also highlights the role of competitiveness in cultivating a high-performing culture and how leaders can leverage competition to drive growth. Additionally, the conversation delves into the significance of building relationships, understanding individual potential, and having tough conversations to help people reach their full potential. Episode Takeaways: Overcommunication is key in keeping the mission and values at the forefront of an organization. Habits should be tied to principles and identity, rather than just goals. Leadership style is less important than developing a toolbox of leadership skills and being adaptable. Leaders should focus on character, consistency, commitment, creativity, and communication. Praising the process and recognizing the efforts of all team members is crucial for organizational success. Leadership is not about a specific style, but rather a set of principles that can be adapted to different individuals and situations. Understanding and catering to the individual needs and learning styles of team members is crucial for bringing out their best. Competition can be leveraged by leaders to cultivate a high-performing culture and drive growth. Building strong relationships and trust with team members is essential for effective leadership. Identifying and nurturing individual potential requires observation, understanding motivations, and creating opportunities for growth. Having tough conversations with empathy, clarity, and a focus on solutions is necessary for helping individuals reach their full potential David's Links: https://www.edgeleadershipacademy.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachdkitch/ https://www.instagram.com/coachdkitch/ *Music by Alex Grohl on Pixabay

S2 E9: Lauren Cruz

This week on the Lead to Win Podcast, we visit Lauren Cruz. Lauren graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2006 and spent the following 5 years as a Naval Flight Officer on board the P-3C Orion aircraft, hunting submarines and Somalian pirates (including those who took Captain Phillips captive in 2009), and flying surveillance and reconnaissance missions in the Persian Gulf.  She then served for 3.5 years at the White House as a communications officer (alongside Atlas Aultman, another guest of the show).  In 2015, Lauren left the Navy and began a career in Financial Crimes Compliance and Fraud Prevention in NYC.  She has worked for EY (Ernst & Young), PayPal, and recently accepted a position with Goldman Sachs. Throughout her career, Lauren has enjoyed great success employing what she now knows is called “compassionate leadership”.  In short, she makes it a point to be curious about and empathetic toward the individuals she works with.  Not only does she find work much more enjoyable this way, but the results she has gotten have been overwhelmingly positive. Episode Takeaways: * Compassionate leadership involves being curious and empathetic towards employees, which leads to happier and more loyal team members. * Leaders should balance compassion with accountability and drive results by being curious about their employees' lives and experiences. * The five Cs of compassionate leadership are consciousness, compassion, curiosity, competence, and courage. * Leaders should be aware of biases, such as the fundamental attribution error, and strive to avoid judging others unfairly. * Leaders should practice active listening and empathy to better understand the people they lead. Lauren's Links: Atlas Aultman's website - https://leaders-kit.com/laurencruz [https://leaders-kit.com/laurencruz] Lauren's LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-cruz-cams-74819ab4?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-cruz-cams-74819ab4?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app] Email - Lauren.cruz.coaching@gmail.com [Lauren.cruz.coaching@gmail.com] *Music by Alex Grohl on Pixabay

S2 E8: Rob Bier

Rob Bier, a seasoned expert in building high-performance organizations, discusses the sources of organizational friction and how they impact team dynamics and productivity. He emphasizes the importance of clear communication, addressing power struggles, and aligning conflicting goals to minimize friction. Rob also highlights the role of leadership in facilitating smoother transitions during periods of change and fostering a culture of transparency. His book, 'Smooth Scaling,' is targeted towards founders and CEOs of growth companies, providing practical insights and rituals to build high-performing organizations. Episode Takeaways: * Organizational friction can arise from miscommunication, interpersonal conflicts, and structural issues that hinder collaboration and alignment within teams and across departments. * Leaders can minimize friction by promoting clear communication, addressing power struggles, aligning conflicting goals, and fostering a culture of transparency. * During periods of change, effective leadership involves providing a clear vision, addressing fears and resistance, and facilitating open and constructive conversations. * Rob Bier's book, 'Smooth Scaling,' offers practical insights and rituals for founders and CEOs of growth companies to build high-performing organizations. * The most rewarding part of Rob's career has been being part of truly high-performing teams and helping others experience the same. Rob's Links: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-bier/?originalSubdomain=sg] Book Retail Link [https://www.amazon.com/Smooth-Scaling-Rituals-Friction-Free-Organization/dp/1637560397] https://www.robbier.com/ *Music by Alex Grohl on Pixabay

S2 E7: Dave Nordel

In this episode of the Lead to Win podcast, Bo Bergen interviews Dave Nordel, a retired United States Air Force Command Chief Master Sergeant. Dave shares his experiences and insights on leadership, veteran transition, and creating impact within organizations. He discusses the importance of self-leadership, seeking out mentors, and learning from mistakes. Dave also talks about his consulting company, Max Fab Consulting, which focuses on veteran transition and creating supportive environments for veterans in the workforce. In this conversation, Dave Nordel discusses the importance of being present as a leader and the impact it has on motivating and leading a team. He emphasizes the need for leaders to be transparent about their aspirations and goals, as well as the importance of consistent and ongoing feedback to sustain motivation. Nordel also highlights the significance of addressing the soft skills and intangible needs of employees. Episode Takeaways: * Self-leadership is crucial for personal and professional development. Take initiative, seek out mentors, and continuously work on self-improvement. * Informal leaders within an organization can provide valuable insights and guidance. Build relationships with them and defer to their expertise. * Learning from mistakes is essential for growth. Embrace failures as learning opportunities and strive to make better decisions in the future. * Creating a supportive environment for veterans in the workforce is crucial. Companies should focus on understanding and meeting the unique needs of veterans during their transition. * Leadership is about leading people and processes. Prioritize building strong relationships with the people you lead and focus on their well-being. * To increase impact within an organization, leaders should identify informal leaders, seek their input, and collaborate with them to implement strategies and initiatives. Being present as a leader is crucial for creating a positive work environment and motivating employees. * Leaders should be transparent about their aspirations and goals, as it helps build trust and alignment within the team. * Consistent and ongoing feedback is essential for sustaining motivation and keeping employees engaged. * Addressing the soft skills and intangible needs of employees is just as important as providing the necessary tools and resources. * Making a positive difference every day should be the ultimate goal for leaders. Dave's Links: Max Fab Consulting Website [https://maxfabconsulting.com/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-nordel-85265246/] Purchase Dave's Books [https://www.amazon.com/stores/David-Nordel/author/B0B486XZNF?pd_rd_i=B0BBQH9V2D&ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true] *Music by Alex Grohl on Pixabay