Demythifying Brand

This episode talks about what “the system” is and how to change it. Jennifer Kluthe specializes in changing or “breaking” antiquated systems and joins the Stay Spicy Podcast to share her expertise. Does the Emperor have clothes? You'll find out!

How do you foster true creativity and adaptability AND get beyond the bullshit of normalizing failure? Lynette and Sheri dive in to the topic of failure. More specifically, the trend in leadership these days to attempt to normalize it. We'll share our views on this trend and alternative ways to foster creativity and a culture of trying new things in organizations. 

Communication is THE most important thing in leadership. It is the cause of, and solution to, all leadership problems. Miguel Eichelberger offers some new perspectives on effective leadership communication.

It doesn't matter whether you're an introvert or an extrovert, or an analytical or ideas person. Anyone can be a good leader. Here's the secret—it's not about your style, but how well you work with other styles to make big things happen.  Using the DISC Model, Anoushka Fernandes from Marcelino Marise Solutions joins the podcast to open our eyes to the benefits of diverse styles in the workplace.Here's more about the DISC model featured in the episode: https://www.everythingdisc.com/

Having trouble with your team? Turnover? Trouble recruiting? Poor performance? It all tracks back to culture. This episode lists some of the most common culture killers in organizations to be on the lookout for. 

Once you've identified your values, how do you live them? And why is it important? Photojournalist Gavin John talks about learning how to live his values in the middle of war zones and some extreme circumstances.

We're kicking off 2025 with a conversation about values. Your values are your north star, your guiding light for decision-making, but how do you know what they are? In this episode, Lynette walks through how to do a values discovery exercise and uses Sheri as a test case!

How do big life changes help you find your leadership purpose?In one year, Bean Gill left an abusive relationship, experience the breakup of her family, and became paralyzed from the waist down. Bean shares how she turned the worst year of her life into leadership lemonade and found her purpose as an inclusion warrior.  

We're talking about toxic bosses – how to spot them and survive them. If you have a bosshole, you probably know it; but in case you aren't sure, this episode covers the how to diagnose a bosshole and some survival tips to help you deal. 

There are more generations than ever before in the workplace and they don't always see eye to eye. In this episode, we have a Battle of The Decades where three people in their 30s, 40s and 50s bring their perspectives on leadership.

Lynette and Sheri are back for another season of myth busting and spicy conversation. This season is all about leadership – what it is, what it isn't, and what we can do to shake things up.

Forbes calls 2024 the year to build your personal brand. On this last episode of Season 1, we talk about navigating, and growing, your personal brand within your work environment. Whether you eventually want to strike off on your own or plan to stay full-time at a company, having a strong personal brand can help you get noticed, promoted, and attract connections and opportunities that align with your vision. 80% of recruiters consider personal branding important when evaluating job candidates. While personal brand can help with talent recruitment and business development, Sheri and Lynette also discuss how to decide which company cultures fill your cup, and which ones are a waste of your time. 

We're continuing our conversation on life changes with Brenda Beckedorf, ecosystem builder, leader, and strategist, and CEO of the recently-launched Society Five.0. On this episode, we explore loss, resiliency, career change and self discovery. Whatever your life change is, it's bound to have an impact on you— and your brand. 

We all go through changes, whether it's moving to a new city, changing careers, getting married, getting divorced, having a child, or losing a loved one. Whatever the change is, it's bound to have an impact on you— and your brand. There's a lot of talk about change management for organizations, but what about your own personal change management? When something rocks your world, how do you react? Some put their head in the sand,  play an avoidance game, or fight hard to maintain the life or the person they used to be.In this episode, we suggest a different approach as we dish on the role of personal brand in life changes. 

The more you put yourself out there, the more people will have opinions. While you do need to accept feedback, how do you decide when it's time to accept feedback, or when it's time to refuse delivery. Lynette and Sheri are back to talk about post-it people vs. crabs, and how to maintain a possibility mindset and not join the freak out. We'll share some of our own stories, challenges, and how we managed to stay grounded in our authentic (and spicy) selves.

So you're putting yourself out there now and wow, it's uncomfortable. It's a bit like wearing new shoes, only this time you're not  going to let a couple of blisters prevent you from rocking them! How do you stand there, exposed to the world, with confidence? On Episode 9, we learn from AnnLisa Jensen—community leader, conservationist, and the first Indigenous councillor for Parkland County, Alberta— about collaboration, reconciliation, and bringing your full self unapologetically to the community causes you believe in. 

If the words, "public speaking" strike fear into your soul, you're not alone. Some seem like born performers, while others would rather walk past the spotlight. Regardless of which camp you fit in, being able to speak effectively at meetings, webinars, conferences, presentations, and family reunions, is integral to building a strong personal brand. We talk to communications and brand legend, Peggy Garritty—entrepreneur, storyteller, Chancellor of the University of Alberta, and former Chief Reputation and Brand Officer at ATB Financial—on how to rethink public speaking and turn fear into fuel for opportunity.

Networking is more than handing out business cards—it's an opportunity to build a community of supporters who help you think differently and achieve your goals. That doesn't just happen at cocktail parties, it happens at work, on boards, during a community volunteer event, and at your kids' soccer games. Research tells us that people form first impressions within 5-7 seconds of meeting you. What impression are you leaving? This week, we sit down with people leader, community builder, and marketer, Tina Thomas, to talk about modern networking, how it can help you, and how to do it well.

The internet is a scary place (let alone the metaverse!), but it's the first place employers, investors and general looky-loos go for information.  That's why it's important that your online presence reflects the personal brand you are building and communicating. In this episode, Lynette sits down with Sheri and special guest, founder, and influencer marketing guru, Jingjing Zheng, to get some fresh tips for how to build and maintain an effective online presence.

What do gluten attacks, figure skating, and General Patton have in common? They've all helped us conquer fear in some way. On this week's episode, hosts Lynette and Sheri talk about how to flex your courage muscle, unlearn what others have made you believe, and boldly put yourself out there for the world to see.

What's your elevator pitch? When you're introducing yourself to someone, what do you say in those 30-60 seconds? Is it memorable or forgettable? Most people simply state their job and rank (recite their resume)...yawn. Your brand statement (aka elevator pitch) needs to be compelling, relevant, differentiate you from others and, most importantly, memorable. On this episode we host a brand statement workshop with fashion designer, creative and change leader Andrea De Ocampo.

Who are you? We know it's a loaded question, and one most people don't ask themselves or are afraid to answer. But, if you want to discover your real, authentic brand, you need to know your purpose, values, and vision. That's your value proposition.Your value proposition makes you stand out, shows your impact, and tells others what you bring to the table. Today we join coach, educator, writer, and 90s R&B expert, Rosa Edinga,  to help us  develop our unique value proposition, delete our asterisk and own our magic!

Do you know you have a brand right now? You are already putting a brand out there based on how you show up in the world, even if you may not be intentional about it. Before you start crafting your intentional brand, it's important to find out how you're already perceived. In this episode, we introduce a tool called the Johari Window Exercise and talk to Jane Halford, a coach and leadership consultant, about the exercise and leaders' brands. We also both complete the exercise and share the results with you!

What is personal brand? Why does it matter? Most people think their work and talent will speak for itself – it won't. Before you self-promote, you do need to think about how you want to show up in the world and how to leverage your talents and work to create new opportunities and connections. In this introductory episode, we define personal brand based on our years of experience working with leaders on their brands. We also share our ‘epiphany' moments of when we realized we needed to figure out our own brands.