Conversations with Lillian Zarzar

Jim Canterucci’s Three Essential Change Communication Tools

This episode is filled with insights and practical advice, and I’m excited to help you discover new ways to lead—and manage—change with confidence and clarity. I’m joined by Jim Canterucci, the author of Personal Brilliance [https://a.co/d/j2o0uyl], past president of NSA Ohio, and founder of Transition Management Advisors. Jim and I explore the heart of change leadership and uncover the tools that truly help organizations—and individuals—navigate change successfully, both in major initiatives and in the day-to-day decisions that keep us growing. We discuss why it’s crucial to start any communication with a clear "why," how to build ownership and engagement among teams, and the emotional side of change that touches us all. Jim shares breakthrough strategies for moving from resistance to creativity, and together we highlight actionable steps that anyone can use, whether you’re leading a team, working on the front lines, or aiming to bring more brilliance into your everyday life. Moments 00:00 "Foundation for Everyday Change" 03:44 "Defining and Communicating the Why" 08:30 "Evaluating Change Leadership Capacity" 11:16 "Meaningful Feedback Over Surface Questions" 15:14 Engaging Solutions Through Collaboration 17:49 Building Habits for Everyday Engagement 20:18 "Lessons from WWII Leadership" 26:22 "Leading Change Breakthrough Together" 28:25 "Everyday Tools for Change" 31:59 Questioning Change with Purpose 34:10 "Four Catalysts of Personal Brilliance" 37:44 "Mindset for Adaptability and Productivity" Here are 3 key takeaways that stood out to me: * Start with "Why": Jim Canterucci emphasizes that every change effort—big or small—should begin by communicating the "why" behind it. When people understand the reason for a new direction, they're far more likely to embrace it and contribute creatively to its success. * Move from Emotion to Logic: Change triggers emotions and uncertainty. The "change breakthrough analysis" tool helps teams move from emotional reactions to logical understanding, ensuring everyone feels heard and supported while focusing on solutions and innovation. * Empower Frontline Leaders: The most effective change messengers are supervisors—your organizational "sergeants." By separating supervisor and employee communications initially, you empower supervisors to lead and support their teams with genuine ownership and engagement. Lillian Zarzar [https://www.lillianzarzar.com/] is an international speaker, author and coach who specializes in helping you to overcome the barriers that block you from self-expression. Lillian believes that the ability to communicate effectively is the foundation of personal growth. Without it, you can neither express what you want nor can you offer others your wisdom. Lillian's desire is to help you tap into your wisdom and follow your purposeful course. With belief and dedication, you enhance your personal growth, you engage with others meaningfully, and you embark on your road to self-mastery. Connect with Lillian Zarzar [https://www.lillianzarzar.com/#connect] lillian@lillianzarzar.com LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianzarzar/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/zarzargroup] Copyright 2026 Lillian Zarzar

Empowering Leadership: Own It, Win It, Crush It with Ash Seddeek

Join me as we explore what it truly means to become a great leader and unlock the potential within ourselves and our teams! I’m thrilled to welcome bestselling author and leadership expert Ash Seddeek as my guest. As the co-founder of the Executive Greatness Institute [https://executivegreatness.com/] and the founder of the Top 1% Sellers Academy, Ash brings a wealth of knowledge about how leaders can create clarity and meaning, especially during challenging times. In our conversation, we talk about Ash’s experience with renowned organizations like Cisco and Oracle, and we discuss his philosophies on leadership, communication, and empowering teams to perform at their very best. Whether you’re interested in developing your own executive presence, building a strong leadership brand, or learning practical strategies for inspiring others—even in the midst of crisis—this episode is full of insights and actionable advice. Moments 00:00 Leadership Clarity in Crisis 03:51 "Transforming Leaders Through Communication" 08:27 "Ownership: Be Your Own CEO" 12:28 Unlocking Organizational Alpha Potential 13:46 "Step Back to Move Forward" 19:26 Own It, Win It, Crush It 20:35 "Leadership Wisdom and Clarity" Key Takeaways: * Clarity is King in Times of Crisis: Leaders must address the three big questions on everyone’s mind – Where have we been? Where are we now? Where are we going? This has a huge impact on reducing anxiety and bringing stability to teams. * Empowerment Drives Excellence: Ash stresses the importance of seeing yourself as the "CEO of your role," fostering ownership and initiative at every level. When employees own their space, they act with more confidence and create greater impact. * Executive Presence is Human: True executive presence isn’t about flawless presentations–it’s about authentic, human conversations and connecting through storytelling and vulnerability. The goal isn’t just to communicate, but to inspire. Connect with Lillian Zarzar [https://www.lillianzarzar.com/#connect] lillian@lillianzarzar.com LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianzarzar/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/zarzargroup] Lillian Zarzar [https://www.lillianzarzar.com/] is an international speaker, author and coach who specializes in helping you to overcome the barriers that block you from self-expression. Lillian believes that the ability to communicate effectively is the foundation of personal growth. Without it, you can neither express what you want nor can you offer others your wisdom. Lillian's desire is to help you tap into your wisdom and follow your purposeful course. With belief and dedication, you enhance your personal growth, you engage with others meaningfully, and you embark on your road to self-mastery. Copyright 2026 Lillian Zarzar

Stop Announcing, Start Asking: The Key to Accountability

Why do you think people are less likely to take action when they hear a general announcement versus a direct request? > The Accountability Gap in Leadership Announcements: "If you don't indicate the person who is assigned the responsibility, then you've made an announcement and hoped for the best." - Lillan Zarzar Have you ever sat in a meeting where everyone nods in agreement about what needs to be done, only to show up a week later and realize… absolutely nothing happened? You’re not alone. The Problem with Announcements We’ve all heard it: someone at work (or home!) says, “We need to do this,” everyone agrees, and then… crickets. Lillian shares that making an announcement isn’t enough—it’s not action, and it’s not accountability. One-Way Communication Doesn’t Get Results Without assigning specific responsibility, announcements often leave everyone thinking someone else will take the lead. This is true whether you’re running a meeting, leading a team, or just wanting the dishes washed at home. How to Move from Idea to Action Take my advice... * Stop just announcing—start asking. * Clearly delegate and spell out who will do what by when. * Use phrases like “I have a request,” or “Please take care of this by [date/time],” to hold people (and yourself!) accountable. Make It Happen If you want things checked off your list (and not just talked about), it’s time to switch from vague announcements to clear, actionable requests. Lillian Zarzar [https://www.lillianzarzar.com/] is an international speaker, author and coach who specializes in helping you to overcome the barriers that block you from self-expression. Lillian believes that the ability to communicate effectively is the foundation of personal growth. Without it, you can neither express what you want nor can you offer others your wisdom. Lillian's desire is to help you tap into your wisdom and follow your purposeful course. With belief and dedication, you enhance your personal growth, you engage with others meaningfully, and you embark on your road to self-mastery. Connect with Lillian Zarzar [https://www.lillianzarzar.com/#connect] lillian@lillianzarzar.com LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianzarzar/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/zarzargroup] Copyright 2026 Lillian Zarzar

Unlocking the Big Mind: Dr. Ron Stotts on Leadership, Healing, and Self-Discovery

Whether you’re a leader, an entrepreneur, or simply someone looking to live more authentically, this episode is packed with wisdom, heartfelt stories, and practical guidance to help you break through your own barriers and start living from a place of greater presence and love. I’m thrilled to bring you a deeply transformative episode with my special guest, Dr. Ron Stotts—a three-time bestselling author, inspirational speaker, and an expert blending thousands of years of ancient wisdom with today's psychological breakthroughs and cutting-edge neuroscience. In our conversation, Dr. Ron Stotts introduces us to his concept of "the big mind," [https://ronstotts.com/] sharing how tapping into this space can help us access our true potential, both personally and professionally. We talk about the importance of healing our inner child, integrated whole-brain thinking, and why emotional self-awareness is essential for evolving into the best version of ourselves. Moments 00:00 "Big Mind for Leadership Flow" 05:37 Evolving Leadership Beyond Old Norms 10:01 "Breathing, Healing, Becoming Journey" 11:13 "Life Rigged in Your Favor" 17:25 "Quiet Mind, Conscious Leadership" 19:34 "Healing Deep Scars in Vietnam" 23:59 Shortcut to Empowerment and Enlightenment 24:59 "Embrace Self-Love Today" Key Takeaways: * The Path to “Big Mind”: Dr. Stotts emphasizes the importance of integrated whole-brain thinking—moving past just logic to access creativity, presence, and solutions from a deeper inner place. * Healing the Inner Child: Our ability to lead and live fully is often blocked by unresolved emotional patterns from childhood. True evolution starts with self-awareness, emotional healing, and learning to truly love and accept yourself. * Presence Over Perfection: Success isn’t about micromanagement or control. It’s about being present, curious, and open to opportunities—trusting that everything coming your way is an opportunity to grow. My favorite quote from Dr. Stotts: “All you literally need to do is be present and curious. From that state, you’re accessing the best of who and what you are.” Connect with Lillian Zarzar [https://www.lillianzarzar.com/#connect] lillian@lillianzarzar.com LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianzarzar/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/zarzargroup] Lillian Zarzar [https://www.lillianzarzar.com/] is an international speaker, author and coach who specializes in helping you to overcome the barriers that block you from self-expression. Lillian believes that the ability to communicate effectively is the foundation of personal growth. Without it, you can neither express what you want nor can you offer others your wisdom. Lillian's desire is to help you tap into your wisdom and follow your purposeful course. With belief and dedication, you enhance your personal growth, you engage with others meaningfully, and you embark on your road to self-mastery. Copyright 2026 Lillian Zarzar

Why Confidence, Credibility, and Composure Matter

Credibility is linked to believing in yourself and trusting your life experiences. > Building Confidence and Credibility: "The more you believe in yourself, the more others will believe in you." - Lillian Zarzar Are you one of those people who get the jitters before speaking in front of a crowd? Do butterflies swarm your stomach, and does your heart race when all eyes are on you? In my classes at Columbus State Community College and Ohio University, I explain how these three Cs—confidence, credibility, and composure—interchange and support one another to create stability, grace, and poise when communicating. Here are a few takeaways from the episode: Confidence: This starts from within. It’s closely linked to self-esteem and strengthened every time you push past mistakes and learn from your experiences. Criticism? Remember, opinions are just perspectives, not ultimate truths. Credibility: Authenticity is your superpower. The more you believe in your message, skills, and the wisdom you’ve gained from life’s experiences, the more others will trust what you share. Composure: Staying calm stems from knowing your worth and the value you bring. Nervousness can be channeled positively through self-talk, focusing less on what others might think and more on sharing your message clearly and confidently. Treat the audience as if you’re speaking to one person. Focus on delivering your message to that individual, and watch your composure soar. Ready to challenge yourself and grow in these three areas? Lillian Zarzar [https://www.lillianzarzar.com/] is an international speaker, author and coach who specializes in helping you to overcome the barriers that block you from self-expression. Lillian believes that the ability to communicate effectively is the foundation of personal growth. Without it, you can neither express what you want nor can you offer others your wisdom. Lillian's desire is to help you tap into your wisdom and follow your purposeful course. With belief and dedication, you enhance your personal growth, you engage with others meaningfully, and you embark on your road to self-mastery. Connect with Lillian Zarzar [https://www.lillianzarzar.com/#connect] lillian@lillianzarzar.com LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianzarzar/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/zarzargroup] Copyright 2026 Lillian Zarzar