Surviving a Toxic Work Environment Starts with YOU with Teri Chilcoat

Surviving a Toxic Work Environment Starts with YOU with Teri Chilcoat

Today on Productive Joy, Dr. Christie interviews Teri Chilcote—an HR expert, author, and “clarity creator”—about surviving a toxic workplace by focusing on self-awareness, self-control, and self-care. Chilcote emphasizes that even when you can’t quit, you always have options, including building skills, pursuing hobbies, or creating a practical roadmap from a calm, rational mindset.  Her book, Surviving the Toxic Workplace, centers on personal accountability, reclaiming power, and choosing how to react when leaders lack self-awareness, while also explaining how managers can improve through EQ, communication, and training. She shares how gossip worsened her situation and how gratitude and perspective shifts can change workplace stress. Chilcote defines productive joy as helping others reach “aha” moments and offers her book via Amazon and a free two-chapter sample by texting POWER to 33777. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Meet Teri Chilcote 00:42 You Always Have Options 01:41 Roadmap Out of Stuck 02:52 Why the Book Focuses on Self 05:54 Managers and Self Awareness 07:58 Leading Up to Toxic Leaders 12:09 Gratitude and Taking Back Power 14:48 Defining Productive Joy 16:54 Puzzle Mindset and Book Resources 18:35 HR Myths and Real Role 22:14 Rapid Fire and Final Takeaway 25:07 Put It Into Action

Put People First, Take Action & More From Courtney Hamm

In this Productive Joy Dr. Christie highlights guest Courtney Hamm’s message that leadership is not tied to age but to awareness, reading the room, and putting people first. Courtney models modern leadership by mentoring the next generation within her organization, showing how people can help those who are a few steps behind them. Dr. Christie reflects on how many young adults feel they should have all the answers, but real growth comes from being willing to ask questions, learn, and understand your role instead of trying to be good at everything. She connects this to creating “productive joy” through intentional action and human-centered communication, encouraging listeners to “be sparkly,” recognize their influence, seek support when needed, and turn one key insight into action. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:09 Leadership Beyond Age 00:39 Mentoring the Next Gen 01:02 Still Learning Not Arrived 01:51 Know Your Role Shine 03:03 Go Be Sparkly 03:40 Ask Questions Take Action 04:42 Final Nugget Into Action  Welcome to Productive Joy, the Recap! This week, our guest was the young and dynamic Courtney Hamm, who exemplifies that true leadership transcends age. Whether you're 19 or 49, leadership is more about understanding, empathy, and putting people first.Courtney's passion for mentoring within her organization, despite being young herself, is inspiring. She embraces the philosophy that we can best support those we once were, guiding those a few steps behind us.I reflected on my own children, now 25, who constantly learn and grow. They, like us, are on a journey, not a destination of knowing everything. It's comforting to accept that one doesn't need all the answers—a lesson Courtney has embraced wholeheartedly.A key takeaway from Courtney’s leadership approach is being confident in what you're good at. Jobs should allow us to shine, benefiting everyone around us. Productive Joy is about defining and creating joy in productivity. By doing so, we elevate ourselves and influence others positively.Every experience shapes us into better versions of ourselves. Daily, I send motivational emails to women in my organization, often ending with "go be sparkly." It signifies standing out and shining in our unique ways.Whether you're the curious 25-year-old in the room or the experienced 49-year-old, today, you can be the best version of yourself. The Intentionality Group is developing answers to all situations, emphasizing the importance of human interaction.

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