KickStart Your Coaching Edge

When it comes to success, are you laying eggs or becoming bacon? In this thought-provoking episode, Karen and Jenn explore the crucial difference between involvement and commitment in business. Through colorful analogies of chickens, pigs, and even rats, they challenge listeners to examine where they might be settling for involvement when commitment could transform their results. Ready to stop putting out fires and start preventing them?

Ever wonder what your March Madness bracket strategy says about you? Join Jenn and Karen as they dissect their tournament picks and uncover surprising life parallels. From embracing uncertainty to finding joy in upsets, discover how your approach to filling out brackets might mirror your life philosophy. Plus, learn why Karen's rooting against all #1 seeds (despite being in last place!) 

Discover how one forward-thinking organization mastered the human side of transformation. Rather than simply announcing changes and expecting adaptation, they invested in their people's success by reaching 400 employees through targeted virtual workshops. This episode showcases how prioritizing mindset and emotional support during organizational change creates a more engaged, empowered workforce ready to embrace transformation.

From ski boots to "maybe I'm the best skier here" moments, Jenn's journey from mountain newbie to a more confident snow enthusiast teaches us four game-changing lessons.  Check out this episode where we break down the four insights all based in the Play To Win mentality all while not succumbing to the magic carpet conveyor belt.

What separates great leaders from the rest? In this episode, discover the three game-changing questions that define leadership success: What did you know? When did you know it? What did you do about it? Karen and Jenn unpack how these simple yet powerful questions build accountability, prevent crisis escalation, and create cultures of trust. Learn why "doing nothing" might be your riskiest move yet.

Want to know the secret sauce that separates good leaders from great ones? (Spoiler alert: It's not what you think!) In this episode, we're dishing out five game-changing questions that will transform your leadership conversations from 'meh' to magnificent. Plus, we're throwing in two bonus questions that'll make you rethink everything you know about growth. Get ready to level up your question game and start playing to win!

Buckle up, leadership rockstars!

Every workplace has rules—but what about the ones nobody talks about? In this episode, we dive into the unwritten rules shaping organizational culture, from late-start meetings to camera-on expectations. Are these norms helpful or harmful? Do they build trust or create confusion? And most importantly—how can leaders be more intentional about them? Tune in as we uncover the hidden forces behind workplace behavior and share tips for rewriting the rulebook.

Ever feel like there's a 6-ton elephant doing cartwheels in your team meetings? You're not alone! In this trunk-tastic episode, we're getting up close and personal with those big, beautiful beasts that everyone sees but no one wants to talk about. From tiny action elephants that just need a nudge, to those massive pachyderms requiring some serious heart-to-heart chats, we're sharing the secret sauce for turning awkward silences into game-changing conversations. Time to make friends with your elephants!  

What do mirrors, hand sanitizer, and a grumpy bunch of elevator riders have in common? They're the stars of this mind-bending episode about solving the RIGHT problems! Join us for a wild ride as we unpack how one building's "slow elevator" crisis led to a brilliant plot twist. Spoiler alert: Sometimes the solution has nothing to do with what people are complaining about! Ready to level up your problem-solving game? Going up!

ONE powerful theme can transform your entire team in 2025. Yes, ONE. From turning dreaded meetings into can't-miss collaborations to making prioritization actually stick, we're sharing real stories of teams who've cracked the code. Plus, discover why the best time to start isn't January 1st (plot twist: it's right now!). Time to turn those team areas of focus into results! 

Plot twist: January 10th might be more important than January 1st! Welcome to National Quitters Day (yes, it's a real thing!), when 80% of resolutions wave the white flag. But hold onto your party hats - we're flipping the script on quitting! Join us for some fresh insights on why the "fresh start effect" might be playing tricks on you, and discover why the third Monday in January could be your new favorite holiday. Time to turn quitting season into winning season!

Today, we're diving into the fascinating world of emotional self-management and personal empowerment. Ever found yourself saying, "You make me so mad" or "You wind me up"? It's time to take a step back and explore how those phrases inadvertently hand over your personal power to others. Tune in to learn how to reclaim your emotional autonomy, manage your inner thoughts, and kickstart your leadership edge today.

Today, we dive into a topic that's often whispered in the hallways yet rarely brought to the forefront: gossip within organizations. Join us as we unpack the dual nature of gossip and how it can either undermine or strengthen organizational culture. We discuss how informal conversations around the water cooler aren't always a bad thing and explore the potential of harnessing positive gossip to foster inclusion and camaraderie among team members.

Voting isn't just a right; it's a responsibility that holds tremendous power. Regardless of your state's political leanings, your voice matters for every position on the ticket. We explored how voting is expressing our values and standing for what we believe in. Remember, democracy is an action—so make it count. If you're eligible and able, go out and vote, because your vote truly matters. Thanks for listening, and keep the conversation on voting alive!

09In today's episode, we dive into the intriguing concept of ‘debate' within organizations. With a real-life example from a team looking to foster more discussion, they explore the diverse reactions and definitions people have around the word "debate." Join us as we unpack why healthy debate and conflict are often necessary for teams to achieve their goals and make critical decisions. Whether you're curious, apprehensive, or enthusiastic about debate, this episode is sure to offer valuable insights into enhancing communication and decision-making within your team.

In this episode, we discuss Rose Zhang's  "effortless power" in a golf swing, and how this principle can serve as a powerful analogy for personal and professional growth. By examining the contrast between "effortless power" and "powerless effort," we discuss how maintaining composure, being adaptable, and working smarter can lead to more fulfilling outcomes. Join us as we tee off on another engaging discussion to kickstart your leadership edge.

Today, we're diving into the cool world of your AirPods Pro to uncover some seriously game-changing leadership hacks.  Learn how the settings on your AirPods Pro—transparency, adaptive, and noise cancellation—can be powerful metaphors for leadership. Learning to filter out unnecessary noise, adapt to different environments, and know when to be transparent can significantly enhance your leadership game. 

We all hold preconceived notions that can significantly shape our perceptions and decisions, especially in leadership roles. Through the lens of a recent presidential debate, we explore how bias manifests and its broader implications beyond politics. Does your existing bias hold you back from opportunities? 

Imposter syndrome is a self-inflicted label that creates a fixed mindset and often can become an excuse. We need to stop living into limiting labels that cause us to only focus on overcoming the label versus embracing a growth mindset to get more comfortable in certain situations. Check out this episode for insights.

Think of all the things you hear that you believe at face value. Does that go the same for the thoughts in your head? In today's episode, we dive into a thought-provoking conversation about the importance of digging deeper into the things we believe. We reflect on recent experiences with misinformation on social media and discuss the need for critical thinking and fact-checking, both in our external sources of information and in our own internal beliefs. It's time to be a journalist in your own mind and start fact-checking your thoughts.

In this episode, we dive into an intriguing concept called the "what if" concept. You can redefine your past and use it as a secret weapon for your future. By examining our beliefs, behaviors, and experiences through a new lens, we discuss how to unleash endless possibilities and break free from self-imposed limitations. What if this podcast episode was the answer you were looking for?

If you want to work on being more patient and being more persistent – just change your golf swing. Karen is two months in on her new golf swing and she is committed to staying the course no matter how easy it would be to go back to her old ways.

Do you think that everything you need is already inside of you? In our latest podcast episode, we talk about whether or not that statement is true. And if so, how we go about tapping into the potential and strengths that lie within us as we face various situations.

Does constantly thinking about getting better in the future take away from the ability to improve in the present? We share a-has from the yoga mat about how to harness the power of now to improve in the moment of whatever you are doing. It all comes down to applying the mindset in the moment as opposed to waiting for another day.

You could see it in his face, by the decisions he made, how he played his game after the missed putt on the 16th hole. Rory shifted from Playing to Win to Playing Not to Lose. He diverted from his plan and strayed from the calm, cool, collected, boring golf he had been playing.

Are you struggling with employee engagement and communication in your organization? In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges facing modern workplaces, from the silent treatment between generations to the impact of return-to-work policies. The stats are staggering and it doesn't seem to be getting better. It's time to explore the importance of clear communication, company culture, and connecting to your organization's mission and purpose. 

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know the importance of mission, purpose, vision, and values in everyday conversations. You can't motivate people by saying “we need to hit a number…” Engagement continues to take a hit in the workforce. 

From collaborative wonderlands to innovation hotbeds, and from customer-centric paradises to results-focused utopias, we'll be exploring the vast array of cultures that shape the business landscape. It's like stepping into a kaleidoscope of possibilities, where every hue represents a unique flavor of organizational dynamism. With a description like that, how can you NOT listen?

How well do you know your organization's grand vision and purpose? Are you living and breathing it, or is it gathering dust on a forgotten shelf? Are you walking your talk turning those visions into action-packed realities? So, buckle up, folks, and let's journey deep into the heart of the components of an organization's culture. It's time to ignite the fire within and paint the world with our purpose!

From the language we speak to the quirky behaviors we share, and even the systems we use, it all contributes to the unique flavor of an organization's culture. We'll take you on a journey through the colorful components of workplace dynamics, exploring how shared values and ways of working can shape the very essence of a company. 

In this episode we share the best one-liner overheard at Orangetheory Fitness that highlights the need for companies to care more about the people in order to have people care more about the company. Organizations are missing the boat by not focusing on the most important secret weapon (people) to hit their goals (profit). Join us as we deconstruct it all.  

Join us on this episode as we delve into the intense showdown between Iowa and LSU in the women's March Madness Elite 8 game. Leaning on her Play to Win mindset, discover how the top player, Caitlin Clark, overcame past controversies and focused on the present moment to play to win.  The article referenced in this episode can be found here.

Strengths are such an asset, until they aren't. Situational awareness is crucial in using your strengths effectively. Consider the context and people involved to choose the most appropriate strength for the situation. When overdone, your strength can actually get in your way. Together, we uncover the keys to effective leadership and harness the superpower of situational strengths.   

Feeling like your team's brilliant ideas need to be getting the traction they deserve? This episode dives into how CliftonStrengths™ can unlock your leadership potential and elevate your team's impact.  We'll share a powerful story of a leadership team using CliftonStrengths™ to identify individual and collective strengths, tailor their approach to their leader's strengths, and ultimately deliver a winning presentation that secured buy-in for their ideas from “the boss”. Tune in and discover how YOU can unlock your team's hidden potential and achieve lasting success!

In this episode, we dive into the crucial concepts of one team versus first team mentality. We'll explore the staggering ripple effect of a first team mentality and how it can create a more focused and successful organization. We've worked with teams from California to Kuwait, and we've seen firsthand the power of a first-team approach. If you're ready to break down silos and build a more collaborative team, this episode is for you!

Let's jump into the realm of mindset exploration: Can one be shackled by a fixed mindset when grappling with the notion of a growth mindset? Picture this: we're on a ride of recounting our escapades at a recent leadership summit, where diverse viewpoints on this very topic ignited impactful conversations. Join us as we unravel the significance of embracing a growth mindset while transcending mere intellectual awareness. Strap in for an adventure where the mind expands and perspectives collide.

Do you want more possibilities in your life? If so, embrace the mantra of “We're open.” Join us as we delve into the power of "yes" and explore the secrets of highly open people (us). This episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiring stories to unlock your full potential and experience extraordinary things.

Our brains naturally crave predictability and certainty, which can lead to stress and anxiety when fear comes up.  There are four types of fear and once we learn to navigate the unknown and find the possibilities it brings we can stop giving excuses and start going for our goals.  Time to become fearless.

We dove deep into the power of fearlessness and how it connects to self-awareness. Being fearless means challenging our own belief systems and being mindful of our thoughts. It's about taking action and choosing who we want to be, even when fear tries to hold us back.

Change happens. All. The. Time. We dive into the importance of focusing on making a difference instead of dwelling on what's not working or feeling like a victim. Mastering change in an organization is a sign of true leadership.

When you start to respect yourself and find your passion, the impact you make grows tenfold. Hulu's The Bear, Season 2, is filled with self-respect, passion, and really making a difference. Are you finding purpose in your work? What kind of impact could you be making? Learn a lesson from Richie. Because he's wearing suits now.

Last week the US celebrated Independence Day, which is all about Freedom. What's your perspective on Freedom? Some believe that more freedoms are being offered, while others feel they're being taken away. What's the difference between independence and freedom? What does freedom mean to you? How important is autonomy? Join Jenn and Karen as they ask the questions that will have you reflecting on what it all means to you.

A great exercise that helps generate your creativity and imagination is: I like… I like… I wonder…. Stop your black and white thinking and start to get curious. I wonder what might be possible. Learn all the details in this short episode.

Setting a goal isn't enough. Goals aren't about the results, they are about the experience. Are you just checking the boxes to get by or are you going above and beyond? When you step up your game, how do you influence others? It's time to go the extra mile.

Small minds and weak people kill dreams. Who is in your foxhole (aka: inner circle)? How do they help you grow and stretch and keep you focused on where you say you want to go? It's time to evaluate your selection process.

It only takes one second to make a decision. Time to challenge your thinking and make sure it is a dialogue instead of a monologue. Your mental game can win out over the emotional game in the moment.

If you aren't getting any traction, growth, or movement – you might want to look at what emotions are keeping you stuck. Overwhelm, confusion, and comfort are reasons why we don't get the momentum that we need. It's time to stop playing small and go after what we want in life.

When we work with teams, the teams who have a high degree of trust perform better. Work moves faster, the results are better, and people are more engaged. There are two components of trust that will have you question, which one is more important to me?

Do you like the results you have in your life? If the answer is ‘yes', say thank you to yourself. If the answer is ‘no', time to get it in gear. Once we start to take 100% responsibility for the results we have, it all can fall into place. We share the ‘secret' for getting what you want.

Rocky road ice-cream, a burnt crème brulee? If you had to describe last month as a dessert, what would it be? This metaphor can give you insight into what you need more of and what you need less of.