Shift from Fixing to Facilitating with Laurie Maddalena

Leadership Has No Age Requirement with Courtney Hamm

Today on Productive Joy, Dr. Christie interviews Courtney Hamm, an efficiency expert and “chaos coordinator” at The Solution, an association management company. Courtney shares how early leadership traits, musical theater, and a Texas A&M orientation leadership role prepared her to manage small-to-mid-size 501(c)(6) associations—handling events, finances, membership, and marketing for clients, including two groups of high-level family law attorneys. She explains what associations and association management companies do and discusses overcoming imposter syndrome through confidence, earning trust, and recognizing her value-add.  Courtney recounts coordinating a hybrid international conference where Canada’s Chief Justice thanked her by name, reinforcing professional credibility. She outlines remote work structure and boundaries, and highlights leadership lessons from CEO Valerie Smith: direct communication isn’t rude, and compassion and empathy are foundational. Courtney also leads The Solution’s Next Gen Group to teach professional skills and conference fundamentals, emphasizing that leadership has no minimum age. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Welcome Courtney Hamm 01:50 Courtney’s Origin Story 04:39 Tour Guide Tales 07:00 What Associations Do 10:08 Owning Your Value 11:31 Confidence Breakthrough 14:40 Defining Productive Joy 16:07 Remote Work Boundaries 18:46 Leadership Lessons 21:59 Next Gen Group 26:08 Rapid Fire Questions 28:39 Final Leadership Takeaway 29:26 Closing Challenge  #AssociationManagement #AssociationManagementCompany #NonprofitLeadership #RemoteWork #WorkFromHome #LeadershipDevelopment #Confidence #ProfessionalDevelopment #Mentorship #NextGenLeadership #EventPlanning #ConferenceManagement #EmailEtiquette #ZoomMeetingTips #EmpathyInLeadership #DirectCommunication #WomenInLeadership #GenZLeadership #CareerGrowth #WorkplaceCulture #ClientManagement #LeadershipMindset

Command Positivity, Not Control & More From Laurie Maddalena

In this Productive Joy recap, Dr. Christie highlights executive coach Laurie Maddalena’s message that real leadership requires shifting from fixing to facilitating, focusing on enabling change rather than controlling it. The episode emphasizes that many leaders are promoted without leadership training, which can lead to insecurity, micromanagement, and diminished teams.  Dr. Christie argues that everyone is a leader—at work, home, and in community roles—and challenges listeners to lead in a direction worth following by putting people first. In a tough job market, leaders should prioritize employee well-being, create environments where people feel valued, heard, and able to use their talents, and make work “fun,” since people quit people, not jobs. The host recommends Intentionality Group for building safe, memorable, high-trust workplace culture and invites listeners to reach out for support. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Welcome and Recap Setup 00:13 Fixing to Facilitating 00:44 Leaders Need Guidance 01:59 Everyone Is a Leader 03:22 Leading in Uncertain Times 04:01 Choose and Create Joy 05:03 Start With Fun 05:44 Design Fun Safe Spaces 07:10 Run Through Walls Leadership 07:58 Get Help and Take Action  #ProductiveJoy #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipPodcast #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeEngagement #LeadershipSkills #PositiveLeadership #BusinessLeadership #LeadershipMindset #TeamBuilding #ProfessionalDevelopment #WomenInLeadership #CareerGrowth #MotivationalPodcast #LeadershipTips #WorkplaceWellness #HumanCenteredLeadership #PersonalGrowth #IntentionalLeadership #LeadershipCoach #CompanyCulture #ManagementSkills #ProductivityHacks #SelfLeadership

Shift from Fixing to Facilitating with Laurie Maddalena

Today Dr. Christie welcomes executive coach and leadership development consultant Laurie Maddalena to discuss how leaders can be more productive and intentional with their time to enjoy life outside work. Lori shares her path from untrained first-time manager to VP of HR, then launching her coaching business 18 years ago after earning a coaching certification and experiencing company value misalignment.  Key leadership coaching themes include defining success, clarifying 3–5 key results vs. a long job description, and focusing on what only the leader can do—especially coaching and developing team members. Laurie explains the value of executive coaching as an outside lens and protected thinking time. Practical productivity strategies include planning the next day before leaving work, “productivity sprints,” reducing interruptions, improving meeting clarity and alignment, and shifting from fixing and micromanaging to facilitating performance through curiosity and questions. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Welcome and Meet Lori 00:51 Busy vs Productive Leaders 02:19 Lori Leadership Origin Story 04:20 From VP to Coaching Business 05:42 Should You Go Solo 07:51 Intention and Modern Leadership 09:47 Key Results and Unique Genius 11:34 Why Executive Coaching Works 13:18 Define Productive Joy 14:29 Leadership Saboteurs and Focus 15:35 Crisis Mode and Meeting Overload 17:28 Recalibration and Productivity Sprints 19:34 Protect Focus Time and Energy 20:45 Find Lori and Final Takeaways 21:42 Rapid Fire Fun Questions 23:38 Final Wisdom Facilitate Performance 24:37 Closing Challenge Turn Fun Into Action

Mind-Body Practice & More From Croft Edwards

In this Productive Joy recap, Dr. Christie highlights guest Croft Edwards, a 25-year Army veteran and author of The Liquid Accordion, discussing how the body and mind work together and how daily habits are always “practice” that either move you toward desired outcomes or keep you stuck. The key takeaway is to practice intentionally—whether that’s exercise, breathwork, getting off the couch, or choosing joy—because repetition builds skill in whatever you do most. Croft defines productive joy as “flow,” a friction-free state, which connects to the Intentionality Group’s focus on solving root causes in business by taking care of humans first, improving productivity, ROI, and retention. The episode encourages listeners to take action: adopt better practices, show up differently in meetings, read The Liquid Accordion, email Christie at intentionalitygroup.com Episode Highlights:00:00 Recap Intro00:06 Meet Croft Edwards00:43 The Liquid Accordion00:52 What Are You Practicing01:53 Choosing Joy Daily03:44 Flow And Friction04:36 Humans First Leadership05:27 Practice It Today06:18 Take Action Next

We Are Liquid Accordions with Croft Edwards

Today on Productive Joy, Dr. Christie interviews author, veteran, and leadership coach Croft Edwards about his book The Liquid Accordion and the power of the body in shaping emotions, mindset, and results. Croft explains that humans are “liquid accordions,” with cells that expand and contract, and that the body’s sensory system drives how we experience fear, love, confidence, ambition, and joy.  He connects somatic awareness to leadership, coaching, and flow states, emphasizing that changing posture and physical shape can shift perspective and behavior faster than changing stories. Croft encourages practicing the states you want—starting small—and warns that people can unknowingly practice resignation or resentment.  Episode Highlights: 00:00 Meet Croft Edwards 00:49 The Liquid Accordion Idea 01:23 Army Habits and Self Care 02:51 A Childhood Leadership Spark 04:10 Somatics and Power Poses 06:36 Body Biology and Emotions 08:27 First Steps in Body Awareness 10:07 Defining Productive Joy 12:06 Finding Flow Through Practice 14:15 Moods Stories and Meaning 16:58 Ontological Coaching OAR Model 17:25 Observer Shapes Results 17:54 Language Mood Body 19:14 Choosing Daily Good 20:53 Where To Find Croft 21:44 Croft Name Origins 23:01 Girl Dad And Rivalries 24:44 Rapid Fire Round 25:57 Emus And Authenticity 28:24 Show Up On Bad Days 29:52 Change Body Change Story 31:11 Final Challenge To Act  #CroftEdwards #TheLiquidAccordion #MindsetMatters #SomaticCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #FlowState #PersonalGrowth #SelfLeadership #MindsetShift #EmotionalIntelligence #PositiveMindset #MentalWellness #BodyMindConnection #AuthenticLeadership #LeadershipPodcast #PersonalDevelopment #GrowthMindset #MindBodySoul #VeteranLeadership #MorningRoutine #FindYourJoy #PurposeDrivenLife #HighPerformanceHabits #InspirationalPodcast