Podcasts about crucial conversations

It's a common trajectory: Dental schools create great dentists, but they don't create good business owners. Kiera shares three critical (but attainable!) tips for creating a profitable, scalable, and enjoyable practice, so doctors can continue doing the work they love. Episode resources: Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Schedule a Practice Assessment Leave us a review Transcript: Kiera Dent- Dental A Team (00:00) Hello, Dental A Team listeners. This is Kiera. And today I'm excited to chat with practice owners, office managers, and to kind of just talk about like what every practice owner should know. But I think a lot of us learn that too late. Myself included, I feel like business owners, I feel like we are great at our craft, but at business we learn it a little too late. And so I think that like I looked at all of our students at Midwestern and they learned how to be great dentists, but they didn't.   learn how to become great business owners. And we hear this all the time. I'm not saying anything new. I just think that a lot of practices hit ceilings because it's not their clinical skills. It's the business outgrows their knowledge. It's like, hey, take me to the moon. You're like, I've never been to the moon. And so I think just being able to help practice owners today realize in office managers, like leadership systems and financial decisions really are like the core. That's why we call it the yes success model. So you, that's the leadership,   systems and earnings. Like that's really what makes up a successful practice. But I feel like that feels so easy. But I want to just walk through like what are three things that every business owner needs to know to have a profitable, scalable and enjoyable practice. You guys the Dental A Team like we work with hundreds of practices across the nation from startup practices to multi-million dollar offices. And what I realize is the challenges are all the same. Like it's fundamentally stays the same. It just gets bigger or smaller based on the size of practice that you're in. And so   I think so many people know how to work really hard. I think so many people outproduce their problems. I think so many people they just it I hear all the time when people are calling to work with us, like Kiera, I just don't know what I don't know. And so today I just want to go through like, let's just talk about three things that I feel like every single business owner needs to know and some tactical ways that you can implement this. So hopefully it takes you from being stuck to unstuck. If you've heard this in the past, maybe you're hearing it at a different time. I know for me these are three fundamentals that I go back to no matter what phase of the business I'm in.   No matter what size of practice I'm in, none of that. So number one is going to be your leadership is like completely the like growth of your business. And your business will never outgrow your leadership. And so your business is a reflection of you as the leader. I remember reading Jocko Willink's book about that extreme ownership. And it was like everything about your business is a reflection of you. And when so when I'm frustrated of the systems or the scalability or the lack of accountability, that's me. And so when we have that.   I hate this, but I love this. Is where can we get consistency? Where can we stop the firefighting? Where can we like make sure that we've got stronger accountability? And where can we make sure that the doctor's not carrying everything? Because I think so many doctors are like, I'll just do it. I got this. Like, I I'm a hard worker. I know how to GSD. I know how to get through this. But I'm like, okay, we've got to figure out how like being a leader is not just a title. How do we create more clarity and how do we create more consistency? And how do we develop leaders and owners within our organization?   And so for this, like when I look at our leadership and how for you not to get stuck in that, like being a great leader is being able to make hard decisions. Being a great leader is how do I create clarity and consistency for my team? Being a great leader is how do I make sure that my team understands the numbers and we use those numbers to guide our decisions. we were going through a whole list the other day of of topics of leadership. And I was like, gosh, I like leadership is   It's a journey. It's an evolution. It's not something that you just do overnight. and I think about Kiera as a leader when I first started and she was erratic. I was like, I was turbulent. I had so many pieces. but leadership is maturity. it's how do I get people to buy into a vision? How do I rally them and how do I get them to buy into a vision? How am I to be a CEO versus a manager and really understanding the difference of those two hats? How do I have time management where I   Truly focus on the most important things, not just because I'm capable of doing it, but because I'm the only one that can do it. How do I delegate and work through my team? How do I like learn people and work to their strengths and work to their superpowers? Working through my team, not just working with my team, using my team. How do I have the art of influence? How do I grow my team members into incredible people? How do I see that potential when I'm hiring? How do I hire better? How do I figure   like leading, managing, and holding people accountable. How do I have consistency? How am I an example, but not the one who has to do everything? how do I value my team? Do I see them as an asset or a liability? How do I help my team feel valued without being the one who does it all? Like there's a there's a there's a great quote over here today that says I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure, which is try to please everybody. And that's by Herbert Swoop. And I thought about that as I was prepping for the podcast today of   That's I think in leadership where I'm not trying to please everybody. I'm going to make decisions that upset people, but I'm always going to make decisions that are in the best interest of the business. how do I own my mindset and make sure that I'm showing up with that clear, sharp mind? How do I have like mental health and grit and make sure I'm having that? What about creating culture, getting a team of ownership, having like my office manager, doctor, duo and having that relationship? What about performance management of my team?   So when I look at this and I think about this, like leadership, like you developing and growing as a leader. And I think that when I go back to this of like a lot of owners just think like I owned it, I got the title of a leader. But leadership is this evolution and this journey. It's becoming, it's evolving. It's all those pieces I listed off, and yet it's not a, it's not a checklist. Like, how do I learn to listen and not react? How do I learn to have my team come up with solutions rather than me?   So I rattled off a lot and all those can hit people at different phases of business. And I believe that I can check one of those off and then I can move. And then my team will double in size or our business will double in size. And I might have to go back to the beginning and the basics again of like, all right, I gotta figure out again how to work through my team. we went from having where me and our team was doing it to where now we're bringing on the C suites and the leader I need to become to manage a C suite versus the leader I needed to be.   Run when Tiff and I were just running the business together. The way I act and interact with my EA and personal assistant today versus when I first had one. It's an evolution. It's a leadership. It's an evolution of who you are. And so it's how do how do we become better at leadership? And I would say listen to podcasts, read books. some I I go back to fundamentals. I read the go giver constantly, I read traction a lot. It's so but boring. Like, sorry, Gino, it's very boring.   read the book, How to Be a Great Boss, Crucial Conversations, Discipline Without Punishment. Those are just some great books, but also look at great leaders and what do they do. For me, I'm a big mimic and mirror. So I talk to people, I talk to dentists that have really great cultures. This is why I love our mastermind group. I bring the best of the best of the best together. And I know because we work with all of them and I know our dentists personally, I have a lot of my great core leaders that I know are just dynamite leaders.   I have them share what do they do? How do they have it? How do they have performance reviews? How do they give cr like critical feedback? Some of the dentists early on in my career. I had them practice these conversations with me, like literally would have to send me voice memos. Practice your leadership skills. Use a consultant. Let's talk through how we're gonna have this conversation, how are we gonna talk to our team about this? But really I think like if I break it down to the nuts and bolts, it's how do I get a team to buy into a vision? How do I make sure that we hold accountability and ownership?   And how do I make sure that I maintain consistency and clarity? I think if I boiled it down and that's a rift on my own side, like not prepped, those would be the pieces I'd boil down. And so how do you become a stronger leader in those areas? And again, there's just indecision is worse than a wrong decision. And so just making those decisions, being more confident in yourself. someone once said like 2.0 is sitting here, and I think about Kiera 2.0, like she wasn't born, she was created.   Leaders are not born, they're created. You've got to like flex and strengthen that leadership skill because your practice can never outgrow your leadership. And if you want to get to the next level of growth, whether that's financially, whether that's profitability, you have to flex and become a different leader. If you've got pure chaos in your office, that's you. If you've got people who aren't falling through, that's you. And that doesn't mean you have to go fix it. I mean, that's you tolerating that. And that's the standards of your practice. Your business will always fall, not to what you say, but what you tolerate.   And so being that leader that raises the standards, I this year I was annoyed. I was like, okay, we're going for outcomes over activity. I realized I was tracking activity, but that's not moving our company forward. We need to be tracking outcomes. Our team is flourishing. But me as a leader, I need to be looking down the line and seeing, and I need to be developing myself as well. I go to the gym, I put myself into a complete fitness competition where I wanted to get to my best physical, like PRs, physical fitness. I went through   A cut. I've never done a cut before. I push myself physically, mentally, often because to me that's a a different pressure test that's gonna sh like allow me to show up better as a leader as well. So it doesn't even have to just be within your practice. Discipline at the gym, discipline in working out, discipline in how you show up, discipline in how you eat, those things are going to make you a far superior leader. I will tell you.   Going through a cut where I had the least amount of calories, I was the strongest, most sharpest leader I've ever been. And I was exhausted. But I knew I needed to show up and I needed to be stronger and I needed to think better ways. So those are going to be some zones hopefully that will help you on leadership. The other one that I found that a lot of people miss is we talk about so often, but systems truly do create freedom, not restrictions. And I think people think that they need to have really strong and lots of systems. And even our team was doing this, but realistically.   There's just a few core systems that need to be in place. There's not a lot of systems that actually need to be there, but they do need to be consistent. They do need to be scalable, and they do need to be followed through on. And so when we look at it, our team was going through and there's there's business fundamentals like core value, vision, mission, org chart, meeting cadences, figuring out our BAM, figuring out our projections, looking at our overhead. Like those are business fundamentals. And then there's systems. And we actually broke it down and we're like, gosh, if we just put into place like 10 core.   Most things are going to get better. Most things are going to get fixed. Most things are going to get resolved. But they're not sexy. They're not fun. They're not things that I'm like, my gosh, like, let me get on a podcast and tell everybody, like, let's just fix these seven items. But that's all it really is. But I think that what happens is we want to continue to scale. We want to continue to build. For me, I want to reinvent, reinvent, reinvent, reinvent. But that's actually not something that's going to grow us. And so it's like,   Just having KPIs that we track and monitor and we use those to make our decisions, having a solid morning huddle with an agenda, following set meeting cadences, having proper handoffs, having a proper scheduling protocol, having case acceptance protocols, having a collections protocol, working on new patients and referrals, having a period protocol, recare reactivation. Like those are really core items that if you have those systems where you follow them and we scale them and everybody's doing it the same way, 95% of your problems get fixed.   Of course, there's other ones. There's hiring, there's onboarding, there's leadership, there's all these other ones. But I think so many people don't want to just be at the basics. We want to reinvent the will. We want to do these things, like have job descriptions at the end of days. Like just do it. It's boring. It's not fun. People are like, wow, wow. We have to have a a morning huddle prep sheet. Why do pilots have checklists? Like the checklist manifesto. They create freedom, they create predictability, and they create systemization. That's all you need to do.   And I found that when offices follow it, when we have it in place. And for me, I also don't want systems to be something that people have to remember. How can I have it as a true system like Chick-fil-A where their burgers come out with three pickles every single time? How do I make sure that our schedule has the same system every single time? How do I make sure that our our handoffs have the same thing every single time? And I don't have to hope that 15 team members remember it. We're gonna put this in to where we have it consistent every single time, no matter who's doing it, no matter what new team member comes in.   That is scalability with systemization. And so have it documented, have it simple, have it repeatable. That's gonna get duplicated. So I think for offices, systemization really that that's the core. That's the systems. It's not sexy, but it is very, very effective. And then the third things that I think a lot of people don't realize, including myself, is you have to know your numbers better than anyone else. That's better than your CPA, better than your financial advisor. You have to know, and that's not just production, that's profit. Like I remember someone said,   production feeds the ego, profit feeds the family. And I think about this all the time. Like, you have to know your production. And I'm talking net, not gross, your collections, your overhead. Then within your overhead, like what is our payroll? What is our supplies? What's our marketing? What are our labs? What's our profitability? And then what's our billing and our AR? You know those numbers. You're solid. You can make so much stronger decisions. You don't, you have financial surprises, you make poor decisions, you're on reactive rather than proactive.   You grow, but you don't have profit. Like, I can't tell you how many offices I've that are singing the five, six, seven, eight million and they have no money. And I'm like, golly, you're making so much money, but you don't know how to keep the money. You gotta make the money and you gotta keep the money. All right. Like that's what we gotta do. So you have to make sure that our profit is there and we can't be willy-nilly. To me, you guys know I talk about the MMs. I do money and meditation in the morning. So triple for you morning, meditation, money. Look at it every single day. Look at your P and L.   If you don't know your overhead and your profit right now without looking, you gotta know it better. You have to. And that's a doctor and an OM. You must know this number. This number creates all the drive. Profit is the only number I actually care about. Like I can sit here, we can track all the KPIs, so many things, but if your profits down, everything else in your life is hard. Your profits up, most things in your life are really easy. Money solves a lot of problems. And so let's have profit. Let's have like I'm stressed out, I'm moving my hair around. Like   I don't enjoy this. This stresses me out because you've got to know your numbers better than anyone else. You don't sit here and lie, if your CPA is not delivering to you by the second of the month, like the second week of the month, get a better CPA. Like they work for you. You have to know your numbers. You have to be confident in them. And if things fill off, challenge it, question it until it gets right. Don't just sit here haphazardly. That is not a strong business owner. This one fires me up more than anything because I used to not know my numbers. My husband was like, Kiera, I don't get it. Why are you broke? And like,   I don't know. Well, I learned this great thing about AR. I had like a hundred grand sitting in AR that I didn't know about. We weren't collecting properly. You better believe I fixed that real fast to where I'm never gonna be in that situation again. And you layer by layer by layer, you get more and more and more financially savvy, but you have to know your numbers better than anyone else. You know your production numbers or so, I hope. If you don't know that number, but do you know your collections? Do you know your collection percentage? Do you know your overhead? Do you know your payroll percentage? Do you know your supply sip? If you don't,   You must learn that. So I'll get off my rant. But this was funny. They said production is a vanity, profitability is a reality. And I think that that's a good anchor line of yes, it is. Profitability is your reality. So your numbers are gonna tell the truth whether you choose to look at them or not. The truth is always there. Some of us don't want to like get on the scale and say weigh. I had a great trainer tell me, she's like, Kiera, that number means nothing other than giving us data and information. It's not my   Self-worth, it's nothing. Just like your profitability is just a number on a scale. It just gives us data. If we spend more money on payroll, this is the number that we get. We make better decisions if we know. But I will tell you, your success, your happiness, your stress is all tied to you knowing these numbers or not. And a lot of people are like, no, no, no, I don't want to. Yeah, right. You're sitting in stress constantly that you don't even realize. So know your numbers. Schedule a monthly financial review. Commit to knowing the story behind your numbers.   Like, do money meditation with me every morning. Just have your bank account on there. Just look at it every morning. Look at your PL every day. I don't care. Do not sit in excuses on your money. You're a business owner, you've got to know this. So I hope that wasn't too much of a rant. But I hope it gave you some good tips on how to have leadership. some good money books. I love Profit First by Mike McAllicks. I also love Money Master the Game by Tony Robbins. That was a long book, but it taught me a lot.   there's some great financial podcasts out there. there's also some really crummy ones. I The Psychology of Money was another great one that I read that was on financial. systems, the checklist manifesto is a great one. Come up for air is a great book. There's several great books based on where you're struggling. But if you notice, this is our yes success model. You as a leader, earnings and profitability, system structure and scale. That's what it is. And every single one of those will give you the yes success model.   You've got to take care of them. You've got to do leadership. You've got to do profitability. You gotta do systems. The yes success model follows constantly. So what part are you the weakest in? What part are you the strongest in? And where do you need to grow? This is the zone like you're not a great practice is not built by accident. It's intentional, it's focused, it's consistent. I had another great trainer. She said, Kiera, it's not about perfection, it's about consistency. That's I don't care if last month you didn't look at your numbers.   I do care if you consistently are not looking at the numbers. You aren't, I'm not expecting perfection, but we do have to have consistency. So how can you have more consistency? And if you're feeling overwhelmed, it doesn't mean you're failing. It just means that you've outgrown the current systems, you've outgrown where you're at, you've outgrown the knowledge. It's kind of like the Wi-Fi symbol. You're just popping up to the next level. And your next level of growth comes from working harder. Like it can, but it usually comes from knowing your business better, leading better, making better decisions with finances. So this is what we're obsessed with.   I love to help you. I love our team to help you. I love you to be a part of our community. We talk about this every single month. We talk about this in person. Come be a part of it. Like for me, I'm not going to get a six-pack without a trainer overseeing me. You might not be able to grow your business without a trainer overseeing you, an advisor helping you, somebody getting you out of the rut, somebody helping you get to that next Wi-Fi symbol. So let's help you out. Reach out. Hello at the Hello@TheDentalATeam.com. You guys, this is your life, your practice. And I feel like these things are not known. I feel like they're kind of known.   But knowing and executing are the difference between winning and losing. Are you just gonna know the facts or are you gonna actually execute on it? The challenge is there, the choice is there, and I hope that you choose to be somebody who executes. Reach out, let's get you out of the hole. Come on, let's do Hello@TheDentalATeam.com. And as always, thanks for listening, and I'll catch you next time on the Dental A Team podcast.  

This solo episode of Do Good to Lead Well focuses on one of the most common challenges in both leadership and everyday life: continually repeating the same difficult conversation without real resolution. Drawing on the important work of Crucial Conversations and Crucial Accountability, I explore the transformative CPR model (Content, Pattern, Relationship) as a deceptively simple framework for breaking frustrating cycles.I talk about how most people stay stuck addressing immediate content rather than recognizing damaging patterns or the deeper relationship impacts underneath. I also share concrete scripts using common scenarios to bring to life how shifting the “elevation” of a conversation can untangle recurring problems and restore trust.Leaders, teammates, and anyone facing persistent roadblocks in communication will walk away with actionable tools to finally resolve stubborn issues. Share your thoughts on how you have dealt with these situations and better yet, share the episode with someone who you feel would benefit from hearing it.What You'll Learn- What is C.P.R. in difficult conversations?- The importance of addressing issues early.- The trap of relitigating the same content without recognizing a pattern.- The risk of escalating prematurely to relationship-level concerns after a single incident.- The problem of “piling on,” or tackling content, pattern, and relationship all at once. Podcast Timestamps(00:03) - The Recurring Conversation Challenge(01:23) - Introducing the CPR Model(03:30) - Content: Addressing Issues Early(06:08) - Elevating to Pattern-Level Conversations(08:50) - Relationship: Impact on Trust and Collaboration(10:43) - Approaching Difficult Conversations from Different Roles(14:46) - Common Traps and Pitfalls in Tough Conversations(17:53) - Choosing the Right Level for Effective Dialogue(19:33) - Final Reflections and a Call to ActionKEYWORDSPositive Leadership, Difficult Conversations, Conflict Management, Crucial Conversations, Crucial Accountability, CPR model, Content Pattern Relationship, Communication Framework, Workplace Relationships, Feedback Scripts, Pattern Recognition, Escalation in Conversations, Resolving Conflict, Peer Conversations, Leadership Communication, Employee Feedback, Conversational Traps, CEO Success

Send us Fan MailYou have prepared for the meeting. You know the material. You have the results to back you up. And still, when you walk out of the room, you can feel that your voice did not carry the weight your expertise deserves. That gap between what you know you are capable of and how your crucial conversations actually land is what this episode is about. Kele Belton walks through why brilliant women with undeniable results still find their most important conversations falling flat, and gives you the exact strategic fixes that turn every crucial conversation into an opportunity to lead.In this episode of Communicate to Lead, Kele Belton unpacks one of the most persistent challenges she sees in her coaching work: high-performing women whose crucial conversations do not land with the impact their expertise deserves. She reveals the 5 ways authority dilution quietly shows up (even when you are prepared and competent), walks through her Leadership Impact Framework for turning every conversation into an influence opportunity, and hands you specific language shifts you can use in your very next crucial conversation. This episode originally aired in September 2025 and quickly became one of the most downloaded episodes of the show. Kele is bringing it back because these strategies are more relevant now than they have ever been.A note from Kele: This conversation is being re-released because crucial conversations remain the number one reason organizations bring me in to train and coach their leaders. We were never taught how to have these conversations well. We avoid them, we rush them, or we leave them feeling unheard. And we are living in a moment where these conversations matter more than ever. If you have not heard this one yet, or if it has been a while, it is worth your time today.What You Will Learn:The 5 subtle ways authority dilution shows up in your speech even when you are fully prepared and technically right, and how to spot each one in real time.The Leadership Impact Framework that turns every crucial conversation from a performance you have to survive into an opportunity to lead.The 3 foundational pillars of high-impact communication that command respect without requiring you to raise your voice or change your personality.Strategic language shifts you can implement in your very next difficult conversation, including the exact phrases to replace the ones quietly costing you credibility.The mindset shift that moves you from proving your worth in every meeting to embodying the authority you already have.Why crucial conversations feel so hard for high-performing women specifically, and what to do about it that does not require becoming someone you are not.Your Action Step:Take one step this week to apply this material in a real conversation: Identify one upcoming crucial conversation on your calendar. It might be a performance discussion, a negotiation, or a pushback you have been avoiding.Before the conversation, choose one of the strategic language shifts from this episode and decide exactly where you will use it. One shift, one moment, on purpose.Afterward, reflect on what changed in the exchange when you used the shift. Notice what shifted in you as much as what shifted in the room.Frequently Asked Questions:What is a crucial conversation, and why do they matter for women leaders?A crucial conversation is any high-stakes exchange where opinions differ, emotions run strong, and the outcome matters. Performance discussions, salary negotiations, disagreements with senior leadership, and boundary-setting all qualify. For women leaders, these conversations carry extra weight because the way they are handled often determines whether your competence is fully seen and whether you are trusted with the next opportunity. Getting them right is one of the highest-leverage skills you can build.Why do my important conversations at work fall flat even when I am prepared?Preparation is necessary but not sufficient. Most high-performing women lose ground in crucial conversations not because they lack the material, but because of authority dilution: small, often unconscious speech patterns that quietly undercut how your message lands. Softeners, over-explanation, and language that asks the room to validate you before you have finished your point all drain authority, even when the underlying content is strong. Fixing the dilution changes how the same message is received.How can I command respect in a meeting without seeming aggressive?Commanding respect is not about volume or dominance. It is about the alignment of your words, your voice, and your body, and about removing the language that undercuts you before it reaches the other person. When you speak with clear language, grounded pace, and settled body language, the room reads authority without you having to perform it. Warmth and authority are not opposites. They coexist in every leader who commands genuine respect.What is the mindset shift that changes how crucial conversations land?The shift moves you from proving your worth to embodying your authority. When you walk into a conversation trying to prove you belong there, the room hears the effort of proving. When you walk in from the assumption that you already belong, the room hears the assumption. Both are conveyed by tone, pace, and language, not by content. The mindset shift is the foundation. The language shifts are what carry it into the room.Related Questions:How do you handle difficult conversations with your boss?What are the biggest communication mistakes women make in meetings?How do you speak with authority as a woman in leadership?How do you push back on a decision without damaging the relationship?What language should you avoid in high-stakes conversations at work?About Your Host:Kele Belton is a communication and leadership facilitator, coach, and consultant who helps high-performing women in middle management build the communication and leadership strategies that get them recognized, sponsored, and promoted.Connect with Kele:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kele-ruth-belton/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetailoredapproach/Website: https://thetailoredapproach.comBook a Leadership Strategy Call (30 minutes, complimentary): https://calendly.com/kele-thetailoredapproach/leadership-strategy-call

David Richter is the author of Profit First for Real Estate Investors and founder of Simple CFO, a company built to help real estate investors get control of their cash flow, pay themselves consistently, and stop living deal to deal. He spent nearly a decade inside a real estate business that scaled to 25 wholesale deals a month, where he eventually took the finance seat, only to discover they were spending more than they were making — and that nearly everyone around them was in the same boat.In this featured episode, David joins Jason Lucchesi on the No Flipping Excuses show to walk through the exact financial foundation every investor needs from their first deal forward. From the Golden Trio bank accounts to finding your keep number to what clean financials actually look like to a lender, this conversation gives real estate investors a clear, no-excuse starting point for building a profitable business.This is a practical, straight-talk episode for investors at every stage — whether you're still waiting on deal one or you're ten years in and still chasing your tail. If you've ever wondered where your money goes after a deal closes, or why more deals aren't translating to more personal wealth, this is the episode that answers it.David's core message is simple: real estate is the vehicle, but money is the game. And most investors don't know the rules. This conversation gives you the foundation to start playing it right.Episode Highlights[0:26] – David teases the episode: $25 deals a month while going broke, the Golden Trio accounts, and the keep number framework[1:13] – Jason Lucchesi opens the No Flipping Excuses interview and introduces David Richter[3:16] – David's origin story: started in real estate at 19 after reading Rich Dad Poor Dad, joined a team doing 5 wholesale deals a month and helped scale it to 800+ total deals[4:35] – How David ended up in the finance seat with zero accounting background, and what he learned sitting down with the CPA to understand profit, loss, and cash flow[5:14] – The wake-up call: doing $25 deals a month but spending $26 worth out the door — and realizing at masterminds that this was an industry-wide problem[7:07] – Why Gary Harper's recommendation of Profit First hit David so hard, and how it led him to partner with Mike Michalowicz on a real estate-specific edition[9:31] – Why the classic "pay yourself first" advice from Rich Dad and The Richest Man in Babylon always stopped short — and what Profit First does differently[12:09] – The #1 mistake most investors make: the single "black hole" account where all money comes in and disappears, with every decision based solely on the balance[13:52] – Introducing the Golden Trio: profit, owner's comp, and owner's tax accounts — and why even 1% into each is enough to start breaking the deal-to-deal cycle[15:31] – Why Relay Bank partnered with Profit First and how to open up to 20 accounts for free to implement the system right now[21:23] – How to figure out realistic starting percentages, why 1% beats 0%, and when to begin ramping toward the recommended targets based on your revenue range[24:10] – The lender advantage: why having clean, structured financials and visible reserves makes you far more attractive for financing on rentals and portfolio growth[26:35] – Role play: two investors walk into a bank — one sloppy, one Profit First-style — and what actually happens in underwriting[29:49] – Finding your keep number: how one investor lost $70,000 in 2019, found his number, and realized he only needed five deals in 2020 to hit his goal[35:10] – David's two book recommendations: Crucial Conversations (for life, marriage, and leadership) and Fix This Next by Mike Michalowicz (for diagnosing your business stage)5 Key TakeawaysThe single bank account is the root problem. Most investors run their entire business out of one account and make every spending decision based on the balance. Splitting into multiple named accounts creates instant clarity about what money is yours, what belongs to taxes, and what's actually available to invest.Start with the Golden Trio, not a perfect system. Profit, owner's comp, and owner's tax accounts are the three that matter most first. Even putting 1% into each from every deal builds the habit and keeps you from sending everything out the back end of your business.The Hope and Pray plan is not a strategy. Hoping a deal closes before payroll is due isn't business management, it's survival mode. Knowing your keep number — the actual monthly amount you need to take home — replaces hope with a real target and changes how you size deals, marketing spend, and growth.More deals don't fix a broken system. Scaling a business that loses money on cash flow just creates bigger losses at higher volume. Getting the financial foundation right at five deals a month means you're actually building something — not just generating more chaos with more zeros.Clean financials make you a better borrower. Lenders look at reserves, structure, and cash management. Investors running Profit First-style accounts with visible cash buffers get better terms, faster approvals, and more lender interest than operators with sloppy books, regardless of how many deals they've closed.Links & ResourcesProfit First for Real Estate Investors (free copy) — https://www.simplecfo.com/giftSimple CFO (book, podcast, and discovery call) — https://www.simplecfo.comRelay Bank (Profit First-friendly banking, up to 20 free accounts) — https://www.relay.comProfit First by Mike Michalowicz — available on Audible and AmazonCrucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson et al. — available on Audible and AmazonFix This Next by Mike Michalowicz — available on Audible and AmazonRich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki — referenced by David as the book that started it allClosing RemarkIf this episode gave you a clearer picture of what your finances should actually look like, share it with an investor friend who's still running everything through one account. The Golden Trio is a simple starting point anyone can implement this week, and it might be the most impactful hour they spend on their business all year. Subscribe, review, and share the show — and if you're ready to get your numbers dialed in, visit https://www.simplecfo.com to book your free discovery call today.

You do GTD but still feel overwhelmed? Listen along to get Morten and Lars' takes on adding another perspective from the Horizons of Focus, including: - How to know what to do, really - How the AOF perspective helps with your overall GTD practice - How to know when to say no ..and much more! We hope that our responses help you on your GTD journey. If you have a question for us - perhaps to be picked up in a future listener questions episode - be sure to send it to us to podcast@vitallearning.dk And as always, we'd love for you to follow or connect with us on LinkedIn! We always like to connect with GTD'ers from around the world, you can find the links to our YouTube profiles in the Links below. We have some really cool free webinars coming up, which we really want you to join

Crucial Conversations by Patterson and 3 others - Book Summary

Disagreement triggers a primal fight-or-flight response. This book summary reveals how to rewire that instinct for better outcomes.

Are you spotting the friction holding you back in your GTD practice? Listen along to get Morten and Lars' takes on this, including: - How to notice what's off in your systems and practices - What to look for in your personal GTD practice - Specific recommendations for software types that might help ..and much more from Morten's 2 decades - or was it centuries?! - of GTD experience

How do you get really good at GTD? Listen along to get Morten and Lars' takes on this, including: - Various triggers they use to help with better habits - How "putting things in front of your door" helps - How the principles of Deliberate Practice might help in sharpening your skills ..and much more! We hope that our responses help you on your GTD journey. If you have a question for us - perhaps to be picked up in a future listener questions episode - be sure to send it to us to podcast@vitallearning.dk And as always, we'd love for you to follow or connect with us on LinkedIn! We always like to connect with GTD'ers from around the world, you can find the links to our YouTube profiles in the Links below. We have some really cool free webinars coming up, which we really want you to join

Do you have to do a FULL Weekly Review every week? Listen along to get Morten and Lars' takes on this, including: - What happens if you don't do your Weekly Review - How you can overwhelm yourself with Weekly Reviews when time is tight - How they do their mini-Weekly Reviews when needed ..and much more! We hope that our responses help you on your GTD journey. If you have a question for us - perhaps to be picked up in a future listener questions episode - be sure to send it to us to podcast@vitallearning.dk And as always, we'd love for you to follow or connect with us on LinkedIn! We always like to connect with GTD'ers from around the world, you can find the links to our YouTube profiles in the Links below. We have some really cool free webinars coming up, which we really want you to join

Why is Clarify so important in Getting Things Done® (GTD)? Listen along to get Morten and Lars' takes on this, including: - How they see people experiencing the Clarify step in trainings - How unclear things (or things on the wrong list) increase procrastination - Why Lars doesn't teach drag-n-drop in list managers ..and much more! We hope that our responses help you on your GTD journey. If you have a question for us - perhaps to be picked up in a future listener questions episode - be sure to send it to us to podcast@vitallearning.dk And as always, we'd love for you to follow or connect with us on LinkedIn! We always like to connect with GTD'ers from around the world, you can find the links to our YouTube profiles in the Links below. We have some really cool free webinars coming up, which we really want you to join

Why are sharp edges crucial in your GTD practice? Listen along to get Morten and Lars' takes on this, including: - Using your inbox as a storage unit - How unclear practices impact system trust - Where you may be missing aspects of GTD in your practice ..and much more! We hope that our responses help you on your GTD journey. If you have a question for us - perhaps to be picked up in a future listener questions episode - be sure to send it to us to podcast@vitallearning.dk And as always, we'd love for you to follow or connect with us on LinkedIn! We always like to connect with GTD'ers from around the world, you can find the links to our YouTube profiles in the Links below. We have some really cool free webinars coming up, which we really want you to join

Every leader has conversations they're dreading, avoiding, or fumbling before they even begin. In this episode, Lee Scott unpacks one of the most underestimated tools in the leadership toolkit, the compelling invitation. Not the ambush, not the vague "can we talk?" text, and not the cold command to report to the conference room. The compelling invitation is the art and science of getting the right person to show up curious, safe, and ready to engage, before the real conversation even starts. Drawing on frameworks from "Crucial Conversations," Chris Voss's "Never Split the Difference", Edgar Schein's humble inquiry, and Judith Glaser's conversational intelligence, Lee walks through the anatomy of a compelling invitation, and why skipping it is almost always your worst option. Whether you're navigating a performance challenge, pitching an idea upward, asking for a raise, or addressing friction in a long-standing relationship, how you extend the invitation shapes everything that follows.   Additional Resources: Attend Unleashing Leaders University! Learn more about Unleashing Leaders Follow Unleashing Leaders on LinkedIn Connect with Lee on LinkedIn Follow Unleashing Leaders on Facebook Follow Unleashing Leaders on Instagram   Key Takeaways: Why avoidance and assault are the two failure modes on either side of a compelling invitation The wedding invitation framework: the overlooked parallel to how leaders should open conversations Tailoring your invitation to DISC styles and the six fundamental human needs Contrasting outcomes vs. positions: what you want, and what this conversation is not going to be Giving people a genuine choice, and why "no" being on the table is actually a sign the relationship is working Real-world scripts across four scenarios: prospective clients, bosses, struggling employees, and personal relationships  

One of the dominant struggles of our world and nation is political division. Schools, teams, friends, and families are sometimes ripped apart over differing political opinions. We see it online and even in personal experience. Thankfully, Jesus is no stranger to struggles like these, and He models how to prioritize relationships and love others even […]

One of the dominant struggles of our world and nation is political division. Schools, teams, friends, and families are sometimes ripped apart over differing political opinions. We see it online and even in personal experience. Thankfully, Jesus is no stranger to struggles like these, and He models how to prioritize relationships and love others even […]

Plato's "Meno" gives some clues on how Socrates used a coach approach--in some ways--and predicted the content of the bestseller "Crucial Conversations." How can you use elements of the Socratic Method? Our "Crucial Conversations" resources can be found here.  Or, interested in coaching or training on these topics for you or your team? We'd love to hear from you! Email Mike and Mark.

Jeff Strong worked nearly 30 years in the consumer products industry as a senior executive at Procter & Gamble and global president and chief customer officer at Johnson & Johnson. He then taught in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University and worked as an advisor to the Church before serving as a mission leader in the Arkansas Bentonville Mission. Jeff has since spent several years doing research on why people are leaving the Church. While not a professional researcher, his career involved a large amount of research and the research he shares in this podcast was done with the help of some of the top Latter-day Saint researchers in the world. Today, Jeff lives in Midway, Utah, and stays busy with a little lavender farm, some business consulting, and enjoying family. Joseph Grenny is a lifelong student of social science whose writings are references in major universities around the world. He is a New York Times bestselling author of eight books, including leadership, influence and communication classics Crucial Conversations, Influencer, Crucial Accountability, and Change Anything. His books are available in over 30 languages and have sold over six million copies. Joseph is a co-founder and current board chair of Unitus Labs, an international nonprofit that has helped over 15 million of the world's poorest to move toward self reliance. In 2015 he and his colleagues started The Other Side Academy, a 2.5-year school for those with long histories of crime, addiction and homelessness. The Other Side Academy is free, requiring only a desire to change for admission. In April 2021, Joseph and the leaders of The Other Side Academy announced their intention to build The Other Side Village, a 400-home community for those who are chronically homeless based on principles of self-reliance and peer accountability. Joseph is married to the former Celia Marie Waldron. They have six children and eight grandchildren and live in Salt Lake City. Links Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community The Data Behind Church Culture | An Interview with Jeff Strong Joining Moroni's War on Addiction | An Interview with Joseph Grenny Creating Change | Interview with Joseph Grenny Messy Conversations: When Loved Ones Leave the Faith, by Joseph Grenny Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Highlights Social science expert Joseph Grenny and researcher Jeff Strong discuss the high-stakes nature of “faith transitions” within the Church . The conversation centers on how leaders and family members can navigate these emotionally charged discussions to preserve and strengthen relationships. 00:04:45 – The Importance of High-Stakes Conversations 00:06:17 – The Challenge of Faith Transitions 00:08:31 – The Need for Open Dialogue 00:09:50 – The Emotional Weight of Conversations 00:11:13 – The Impact of Poor Responses 00:12:21 – Preparing for Difficult Conversations 00:13:35 – Research Insights on Conversations 00:15:48 – Identifying Positive Deviants 00:16:29 – Learning from Successful Conversations 00:18:06 – The Role of Fear in Conversations 00:20:06 – Talking Under the Influence of Stress 00:22:40 – The Importance of Taking a Breather 00:25:23 – Three Key Steps for Effective Conversations 00:27:00 – Feeling Your Feelings 00:29:40 – Fixing Your Story 00:31:40 – Finding Your Motive 00:33:13 – The Transformative Power of Relationships 00:35:11 – Embracing the Messiness of Life 00:38:11 – The Role of God in Our Growth 00:40:45 – The Journey of Self-Discovery Key Insights The “Devoutness Paradox”: Research involving 15,000 participants found that the more devout a person is, the less likely a conversation about faith transition is to go well. If the recipient is a church leader, the odds of a negative outcome are 4.5 times higher than average. High Intensity of Need: Approximately 83% of individuals going through a faith transition reach out to others, typically contacting four to five people, indicating a deep desire for connection and resolution during the process. The Trap of “Problem-Solving”: Many leaders and parents react out of fear and an immediate impulse to “fix” the individual or bring them back to the church. This motive often leads to the other person feeling judged, berated, or suspected. The “Positive Deviant” Model: Some leaders and family members manage to maintain their own religious commitment while creating a safe, robust space for dialogue. These “positive deviants” prioritize the relationship over immediate theological conformity. Long-Lasting Consequences: The first few seconds of a conversation are pivotal; words spoken in moments of shock or vulnerability can endure for years and dictate the future trajectory of the relationship. Leadership Applications Shifting Motives: Leaders must move from a mindset of “correcting” to one of “listening and processing”. Recognizing that fear often drives the impulse to solve a problem can help leaders stay present and supportive rather than confrontational. Validating the Struggle: Leaders should normalize the reality that faith transitions are common and often a healthy part of a person’s individual journey . By acknowledging the difficulty without judgment, they empower the individual to feel heard rather than controlled. The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.

You're invited to Empowered Seat, my membership designed to help you grow, lead, and rise alongside other powerhouse assistants. Join Here → https://www.wholeassistant.com/empoweredseat ---------------------------------------------- Are you constantly taking on more and more just to prove your worth, but you're still worried someone will think you aren't doing enough? This episode is a game-changer for support professionals who keep saying "yes" and feel overwhelmed or undervalued. As I write my book and reflect on the core challenges in our industry, I realize how many of us struggle to have honest conversations about our true capacity, our actual capabilities, and what the core function of our roles should be. Today, I'm diving into why these conversations are non-negotiable if you want to avoid burnout, step into strategic partnership, and design a role that truly fits your strengths. In this episode, you will discover: Why discussing your capacity, capability, and core function is vital to your career growth and mental health Why you may be avoiding these conversations, and the sneaky thoughts underpinning these reasons The cost of avoiding these crucial conversations ----------------------------------------------Have burning questions you've been dying to ask? Submit your question to Ask Annie Anything by clicking here. ----------------------------------------------Enjoy what you're hearing on the podcast? Please rate and review wherever you're listening. Stay Connected: Snag your free strategic planning session guide. Visit the website. Follow me on LinkedIn. Send me an email: annie@wholeassistant.com

What happens when you mix your old practices with GTD? Listen along to get Morten and Lars' takes on this, including: - Mixing capture with organization - Keeping parallel systems - Treating the Weekly Review as optional ..and much more! We hope that our responses help you on your GTD journey. If you have a question for us - perhaps to be picked up in a future listener questions episode - be sure to send it to us to podcast@vitallearning.dk And as always, we'd love for you to follow or connect with us on LinkedIn! We always like to connect with GTD'ers from around the world, you can find the links to our YouTube profiles in the Links below. We have some really cool free webinars coming up, which we really want you to join

In this episode of Security Visionaries, host Emily Wearmouth welcomes Nycholas Szucko, a board member for many security companies who is based in Brazil, to discuss better approaches to solving misaligned communication between CEOs, boards, and security leaders. Using key data points from the Crucial Conversations report as a jumping off point, Nycholas offers practical strategies for CISOs and CIOs to bridge the gap. Together they cover the essential skills needed, from communication and storytelling to selling skills and understanding financials. They also offer advice around becoming a CEO's "trusted lieutenant," determining your CEO's risk appetite (even using AI role-play for preparation), navigating frustration with technology as a "black box," and shifting investment from short-term "band-aid" fixes to strategic, long-term platform modernization. This episode provides constructive approaches for improving alignment, becoming proactive in strategic planning, and leading the business into the age of agentic AI. This conversation is a must-listen, whether you're a CEO, board member, security leader, or anything in between.

Crucial Conversation - A discussion between two or more people where stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong. In today's episode, we're joined by Melissa, one of our Student Health Center Mental Health interns! Tune in to listen to this crucial conversation about crucial conversations! Listen to us wherever you find your podcasts - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0NcCxKgjXpR2wrJNZ5NoxU Our Podcast site - https://ohlonenotetoself.libsyn.com/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ohlonenotetoself8512 __PRESENT __PRESENT __PRESENT

Message from Church at the Creek ©2026 Updated Every Monday Afternoon Our Vision: Where ANYONE can BELONG before they BELIEVE. Our Mission: Share Jesus. Build Believers. churchatthecreek.com/ Church at the Creek's YouTube channel: bit.ly/400WOqA Listen on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3wB6nQG Listen on Spotify: spoti.fi/3LyMe5M Listen on Soundcloud: @churchatthecreek

Dr. Tom Curran shares coaching insights by Thomas Leonard, founder of Coach U, and gives practical tips for how to have a crucial conversation. Tom discusses good-to-great coaching vs. turn around coaching and explores the impact of intercessory prayer.References:Spiritual Canticle by St. John of the CrossEzekiel 22: 30Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC:2741)

God loves families. He purposely placed us in earthly families, and designed us for His heavenly one forever. But, in our sinful and broken world, it is sometimes our own family members, who we love so much, who have the greatest capacity to hurt us. Every family has struggles and must learn to navigate fights […]

God loves families. He purposely placed us in earthly families, and designed us for His heavenly one forever. But, in our sinful and broken world, it is sometimes our own family members, who we love so much, who have the greatest capacity to hurt us. Every family has struggles and must learn to navigate fights […]

It's time for another Listener Questions episode! Listen along to get Morten and Lars' takes on questions from Evelien, Zach and Ivan covering topics such as: - The template and details for a daily GTD checklist - Someday/Maybe adjustments - Aligning your day-to-day system with your HoF in another system ..and much more! We hope that our responses help the listeners who sent in their questions and if you have any questions, be sure to send them to us! We're out of listener questions now, so if you have a question, be sure to send it to us to podcast@vitallearning.dk And as always, we'd love for you to follow or connect with us on LinkedIn! We always like to connect with GTD'ers from around the world, you can find the links to our YouTube profiles in the Links below. We have some really cool free webinars coming up, which we really want you to join

Redemption Revealed | Week 7 | Wendi Lyon--Jesus continues to prepare his disciples for the grief of the cross, along with the joy that will follow as he provides them peace through overcoming the world.--Outline

Dominic Forth is the CEO of Thought Leaders America, where he helps founders, operators, and investors earn trust and raise capital through credible media visibility. With a background training at the BBC and working across major U.S. TV markets including Kansas City, Tampa, San Francisco, Tulsa, and Denver, Dominic brings more than two decades of media and research experience to the entrepreneurs he serves.      Make sure to download our free guide, 7 Questions Every Passive Investor Should Ask, here.     Key Takeaways Leverage credible media placements to build trust that compounds across AI search, Google, and investor due diligence  Clarify your narrative by defining who you are, what you do, and how you relate to your target audience  Lead with authenticity. Audiences quickly disconnect when messaging feels forced or over-rehearsed  Recognize that people just one or two steps ahead can offer more relatable value than distant "experts"  Focus on ROI-driven visibility, not vanity PR. Media should support capital raising, credibility, and measurable business growth      Topics Why Credible Media Matters More in the AI Era How AI increasingly pulls from trusted media sources instead of traditional search rankings  Why appearing on outlets like ABC, CBS, or Fox strengthens long-term digital authority  The Three Pillars of a Powerful Personal Brand Who you are (your authentic personal story)  What you do (your expertise and value proposition)  How you understand your audience's journey (investors, clients, stakeholders)  Why You Don't Need a Dramatic Backstory Shifting from "near-death experience" narratives to audience-centric storytelling  Emotional engagement through authenticity, preparation, and relatability  Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Thought Leadership Why those one or two steps ahead often deliver the most actionable insight  How smaller media reps build confidence before major national appearances  Turning PR Into Measurable ROI Commissioning research to create newsworthy stories  Using media placements as credibility assets for investor conversations  Structuring PR efforts around business outcomes, not just visibility     

The awkward silence at work when everyone knows a project is going off the rails.The simmering resentment in a marriage over an issue neither spouse will confront.The dysfunction in a church where certain topics are understood to be off-limits.My guest, Joseph Grenny, says that some of the biggest problems in every organization, from businesses to families, aren't the issues themselves, but people's inability to talk about them. Joseph is a business social scientist and consultant, and the co-author of the bestselling book Crucial Conversations. For decades, he's studied why people shut down or blow up when the stakes are high, emotions are strong, and opinions differ.Today on the show, we talk about what makes a conversation “crucial,” why our brains betray us in conflict, and how to escape the false choice between maintaining a relationship and speaking honestly. From figuring out what kind of conversation you need to have, to creating the right conditions for connection, to dealing with criticism, we unpack how to have the conversations you've been avoiding — at work, at home, and everywhere else.Connect With Joseph GrennyCrucial Learning websiteJoseph on LinkedInSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this conversation, Amas Tenumah and Bob Furniss discuss the intricacies of performance reviews, emphasizing the importance of coaching and effective feedback. They introduce the YMCA methodology as a framework for coaching conversations, highlighting the need for ongoing dialogue and employee ownership in the performance management process. The discussion also touches on the significance of crucial conversations in fostering a productive work environment. Takeaways Performance reviews should not contain surprises for employees. Coaching is essential for success in contact centers. The YMCA methodology helps structure coaching conversations. Effective feedback requires understanding the employee's perspective. Managers should focus on building relationships through dialogue. Crucial conversations are necessary for employee development. Setting clear expectations is vital for performance management. Follow-up is essential to ensure accountability and progress. Employees should feel empowered to own their performance issues. The coaching framework can be applied in various contexts, including personal relationships. Sound bites "We need you there at nine o'clock." "I never fired anyone in my entire career." "It works for your kids too." Chapters 00:00 Winter Weather and Performance Reviews 01:07 The Importance of Coaching in Performance Reviews 04:05 Effective Feedback and Coaching Frameworks 06:01 The YMCA Methodology for Coaching Conversations 11:32 Calibrating Expectations and Actions 17:01 Crucial Conversations and Employee Ownership

In this conversation, Amas Tenumah and Bob Furniss discuss the intricacies of performance reviews, emphasizing the importance of coaching and effective feedback. They introduce the YMCA methodology as a framework for coaching conversations, highlighting the need for ongoing dialogue and employee ownership in the performance management process. The discussion also touches on the significance of crucial conversations in fostering a productive work environment. Takeaways Performance reviews should not contain surprises for employees. Coaching is essential for success in contact centers. The YMCA methodology helps structure coaching conversations. Effective feedback requires understanding the employee's perspective. Managers should focus on building relationships through dialogue. Crucial conversations are necessary for employee development. Setting clear expectations is vital for performance management. Follow-up is essential to ensure accountability and progress. Employees should feel empowered to own their performance issues. The coaching framework can be applied in various contexts, including personal relationships. Sound bites "We need you there at nine o'clock." "I never fired anyone in my entire career." "It works for your kids too." Chapters 00:00 Winter Weather and Performance Reviews 01:07 The Importance of Coaching in Performance Reviews 04:05 Effective Feedback and Coaching Frameworks 06:01 The YMCA Methodology for Coaching Conversations 11:32 Calibrating Expectations and Actions 17:01 Crucial Conversations and Employee Ownership

Tonight we hear a testimony from Austin Rivera, a young adult here at Purpose Church, as he shares his story of anxiety and depression and how God found him and showed him love and grace in the midst of these hard mental health struggles. We then get to hear from an incredible panel of HSM […]

Tonight we hear a testimony from Austin Rivera, a young adult here at Purpose Church, as he shares his story of anxiety and depression and how God found him and showed him love and grace in the midst of these hard mental health struggles. We then get to hear from an incredible panel of HSM […]

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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2873: Seth Sinclair explores why “people problems” feel so uncomfortable, and how our emotional brain sabotages us in difficult conversations. Drawing on insights from Crucial Conversations and Daniel Goleman's “amygdala hijack,” he offers a practical first step to stop conflict before it spirals: recognize the emotional surge early and plan your approach with empathy and intention. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://michaelmehlberg.com/blog/2016/3/2/3-steps-to-conquering-people-problems Quotes to ponder: "We can quickly build up a lot of anxiety and anger, even before we have all of the facts or a chance to reflect on what is going happening." "We unconsciously start to build assumptions about why the other person is wrong, why they are a jerk, why we are right, and why we feel we should 'win' this issue." "Here are three basic strategies you can start using right away to get better results: avoid getting caught off guard, learn to pay attention to yourself, and seek to bring out the best in the other person." Episode references: Crucial Conversations: https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Conversations-Talking-Stakes-Second/dp/1469266822 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2873: Seth Sinclair explores why "people problems" feel so uncomfortable, and how our emotional brain sabotages us in difficult conversations. Drawing on insights from Crucial Conversations and Daniel Goleman's "amygdala hijack," he offers a practical first step to stop conflict before it spirals: recognize the emotional surge early and plan your approach with empathy and intention. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://michaelmehlberg.com/blog/2016/3/2/3-steps-to-conquering-people-problems Quotes to ponder: "We can quickly build up a lot of anxiety and anger, even before we have all of the facts or a chance to reflect on what is going happening." "We unconsciously start to build assumptions about why the other person is wrong, why they are a jerk, why we are right, and why we feel we should 'win' this issue." "Here are three basic strategies you can start using right away to get better results: avoid getting caught off guard, learn to pay attention to yourself, and seek to bring out the best in the other person." Episode references: Crucial Conversations: https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Conversations-Talking-Stakes-Second/dp/1469266822

Episode Description: What if the biggest risk to your project isn’t technical—it’s conversational? Most engineering projects fail not because of flawed plans or inadequate technology, but because teams aren’t having the right conversations about trust, coordination, and care. In this episode, Jason Klous, Principal at Midion with over 30 years in complex construction projects, reveals the Language Action Perspective—a framework that transforms how teams communicate and coordinate. Jason shares why the most technically skilled people often struggle with the most critical conversations, how to rebuild trust when it’s broken, and the surprising power of assessments delivered with care. Whether you’re leading a multi-million dollar construction project or navigating difficult conversations at home, this episode will change how you think about communication as the foundation of success. Key Takeaways: The missing conversations kill projects: Technically sound projects fail when teams don’t discuss trust, psychological safety, and coordination—not because of poor planning or inadequate software. Trust has specific domains: When trust breaks down, identify whether the issue is reliability, competence, or sincerity. Once you know which domain is lacking, you can develop a targeted plan to rebuild it. Moods are contagious and foundational: Teams fall into moods unconsciously, and those moods influence listening, trust, and coordination. Identifying and shifting moods can transform project outcomes. Assessments strengthen relationships when delivered with care: The most difficult feedback, when delivered to improve the relationship (not damage it), often brings relief and reveals more about the person delivering it than the person receiving it. Write it down before difficult conversations: To avoid “talking around” the issue, write down what you need to say. This helps you be more direct while maintaining care and candor. Timestamps: [00:51] Introduction – The story teams tell themselves[01:52] Why technically sound projects fail[05:08] The Language Action Perspective explained[09:04] Real-world example: $250M wastewater project turnaround[15:47] The four domains of trust[19:23] Understanding moods vs. emotions[24:30] How to deliver assessments with care[32:25] Having difficult conversations at home[37:03] Coach in Your Corner Guest Information: Name: Jason Klous, Ph.D., Principal at Midion Expertise: Language Action Perspective, Lean Construction, Integrated Project Delivery, Team Coordination Connect: jklous@midion.com | https://midion.com LinkedIn: Jason Klous, PhD | LinkedIn Resources Mentioned: About the Host: Dr. James Bryant is an engineering leadership coach and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. He helps technical professionals and engineering leaders develop the human skills that drive career success—from communication and influence to strategic thinking and team leadership. Connect with James on LinkedIn or visit [website] to learn more about engineering your success. Join the Community Engineer Your Success InsidersOne story. One insight. One action to help you lead with intention. engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders Podcast Hub: sleekbio.com/eyspodLinkedIn: Dr. James Bryant

A chief officer is infuriated by the behavior of his egomaniacal CEO. With his coach, he explores how to be a healthy leader while reporting to a boss he doesn't respect.Core concepts in this episode:Egomaniacs rattle our sense of self.They will not change.Worrying does not help.Be accountable for how you show up. Manage yourself.Don't take anything personally. They're just a piece on a chess board.Ask yourself: “Am I seeing this person clearly?” Don't allow emotions to drive your actions.Ask yourself: “How do I want to show up?” You have choice about what you prioritize and how you react in the workplace.Resources mentioned in this episode:Crucial Conversations provides scripts and thoughts that will help you manage yourself when dealing with difficult people. Tom and host Dave Stachowiak discussed “How to Handle a Boss Who's a Jerk” on this episode of Coaching for Leaders. Great tools if you have a challenging boss.Before sharing your reactions in the workplace, consider the politics around you. These two episodes will get you “Leading with Political Savvy” Parts 1 and 2.  Each month, there are additional tools in our monthly email. If you'd like to explore Private Coaching, reach out to Tom. tom@essentialcomm.com.This episode is tagged in three categories in our podcast library:Managing YourselfLeadershipPerception – How You Perceive OthersRELATED EPISODES239- 5 Strategies for Dealing with Narcissists189 - “Don't Take Anything Personally”245- Giving Upward Feedback114- Gravitas133- The Narcissist ExecutiveThank you, thank you, thank you for your reviews!Wishing you a year of growth and development! From The Look & Sound of Leadership team, thank you so much for listening. 

What if restoring impossible relationships just required knowing what's on the other side? In this episode, Greg Stephens shares how 24 years as a master trainer for Crucial Conversations taught him that breakthroughs aren't permanent until they're practiced over and over. That realization led him to shift from training to coaching, creating a six-month program where executives and emerging leaders have conversations they never thought possible. His specialty? Seeing relationships like some people see music, orchestrating conversations where people show up as their best. Greg also reveals why his mentor Bill Solomon intentionally made his welding job miserable before college, teaching him the resilience he'd need to push through Baylor surrounded by wealthy students. Most powerfully, he explains "emotional accounting": why putting off a Friday conversation until Monday doesn't just ruin your weekend, it costs you exponentially more on the back end.   [00:04:44] What Alignment Resources Does Company goal: everyone eats at the trough (trainers train, coaches coach, sales people sell, speakers speak) Greg's specialty lives in areas of difficult relationships, everyone has at least one Works with relationships that seem impossible Application of Crucial Conversations tools for talking when stakes are high [00:05:40] Twenty-Four Years Teaching Crucial Conversations Was master trainer in Crucial Conversations, taught it for 24 years starting in 2001 Before the book was written, it was called "Path to Dialogue" then "Dialogue Smarts" One of first master trainers, stayed until January this year when he released his book Got to travel the world, train on stage, do keynote talks [00:06:00] Why Breakthroughs Need Practice People would take class, have great experience, have aha breakthrough moments Found that breakthroughs aren't permanent until they're practiced over and over If you want permanence around a breakthrough, you've gotta go do something That piece was lacking, so decided to shift business to coaching [00:06:20] The Six Month Coaching Program About six month program, 20 different weeks Teaching executives and emerging leaders (ages 21-28) Wanted to teach younger generation what executives said "I wish I'd learned this 20, 30 years ago" Most people say "I've had a coach before, this is nothing like it" [00:07:00] Building Up and Completing Relationships Build people up in relationships, let them go back and improve, clean up, or complete relationships Complete doesn't mean never see person again (could, but doesn't have to) Can work next to person and have completed relationship around an issue It just doesn't show up for you anymore because you know where you stand, said what you need to say [00:07:40] The Skills Most People Don't Have Coaches and mentors say "you need to go have this conversation," but how? There are skill sets you need, the application of them, and how to make adjustments People talk about psychological safety but don't know how to create it What to do when your emotions take hold or other person's emotions take hold [00:08:20] How to Really Listen When You Disagree How do you begin to really listen when you disagree with everything being said? How do you get on the right topic? Most people don't know how to dissect and break down conversations Greg helps dissect it and break it down for people [00:08:40] Executives on Retainer Some executives don't want to learn all skill sets, just want someone to do it for them Working with groups on retainer where they call when they have big problem They lay out background, what they've done, then Greg lays out plan for conversation Role plays exactly what might happen, clients say "it was like you were right there" [00:10:00] When People Don't Show Up as Their Best Sometimes people have breakdown, don't show up as their best, come back saying "I really blew it" Great learning point, it needed to be this way Limiting belief: thinking it's over when conversation goes badly When you know these skills, you can go back over and over and reset [00:11:20] What Drives Greg Most Watching people restore relationships they thought were just not possible Worked with police captains on issue, individual conversations showed no one thought it could be done Scheduled for four sessions, had breakthrough after first session One person took responsibility for their part, allowed everyone else to take responsibility [00:13:00] It's Still Hard Even With Skills People say "you have the skill, you should be able to do it" Greg still doesn't like having difficult conversations Doesn't want to have the conversation, but wants what's on the other side "Stop looking at the conversation right now. Let's look at what you want beyond that." [00:14:00] Work is Easy, Personal is Hard When working with businesses, always eventually get to their personal lives Those are the much more difficult conversations Work is easy, we all want to make more money and enjoy work Hardest ones are family businesses with so much emotion and unspoken hierarchy [00:16:00] Bill Solomon Changed Everything Gentleman who wrote forward to Greg's book, had heart transplant before writing it Bill told Greg "I'm so glad you asked me to write the forward because I couldn't stop writing" Two months later Bill had book of his own called "Losing Control" (in his seventies) Was the person who pointed Greg toward something more in his life [00:17:20] The Welding Job That Taught Resilience Bill gave Greg job before college as welder's helper (Bill was CFO of company) Told the guys "You're gonna like this guy I'm bringing in, but treat him like crap" "Tear him down every day. Make him feel stupid. You're gonna begin to like him. Make it hard on him." Never told Greg this was happening [00:18:20] Breaking the Golden Handcuffs Wouldn't have business today without Bill Solomon Getting through Baylor, getting great job, then getting out of job and breaking golden handcuffs Starting own business in 1999, none of that would've happened Bill took interest, made it difficult on purpose, said "you're gonna be a great leader one day" [00:21:40] Greg Reynolds Called Every Day After Greg's divorce, Greg Reynolds called him every day for three months All he said was "How you doing today? How you doing today?" One of hardest times Greg ever went through Showed Greg the power of that, he's done same thing for friend of his [00:22:20] Taking Interest in People If you really want to take interest in a person, find out what they're doing every day Every one of these gentlemen shaped how Greg mentors others Having conversations he never would've had, saying what he never would've said Taking interest like Bill Solomon did, being there like his coaches [00:24:40] "What Do You Want to Do?" Woman was looking at situation from the past when she didn't have skills Now she does have skills "Question isn't what they want or what I want to do. It's what do you want to do?" She got quiet: "I want to have the conversation." [00:25:00] Over 20 Resets to Stay on Track They practiced again, she went and had conversation Wrote amazing email about how each time she had to stop herself and come back Get conversation back on track by sharing your best intent Had to do that more than 20 times [00:28:20] Investing Upfront vs. Costing on Back End If you add skillset and knew how to address it, you'd say "I'm not wasting my weekend" Have conversation, no matter what outcome, it's out of you Have entire weekend to problem solve whatever that was and learn about what you did Used time wisely by investing upfront rather than it costing you on back end [00:31:40] Marcus Newcomb Connection Marcus Newcomb is special person, they hit it off Greg has gotten to meet so many great people networking and marketing his book Kevin is "the real deal"   KEY QUOTES "Breakthroughs aren't permanent until they're practiced over and over. So if you want permanence around a breakthrough, you've gotta go do something." - Greg Stephens "If you really want to take interest in a person, find out what they're doing every day." - Greg Stephens "My life is built on the shoulders of all my friends and people in my life that have shown me so much." - Greg Stephens CONNECT WITH GREG STEPHENS 

In this episode, Lars and Morten speak with GTD enthusiast and Microsoft employee Stefan Pilo. What does a day look like for a GTD'er with all the cool Copilot/agent tools available now? Listen to this episode to learn from Stefan, including: - How Teams has functionality to lead your meetings - How Copilot assists you in Outlook - How specialised AI can help you prepare for meetings ..and MUCH more! We hope that this helps you in your GTD journey and if you have questions for us to pick up in the podcast, you can reach us at podcast@vitallearning.dk And as always, we'd love for you to follow or connect with us on LinkedIn! We always like to connect with GTD'ers from around the world, you can find the links to our YouTube profiles in the Links below. We have some really cool free webinars coming up, which we really want you to join

Greg Stephens is the President of Choice Consulting and a seasoned communication expert, executive coach, and corporate trainer. With over 25 years of experience across tech, healthcare, and sports, Greg specializes in the "human" side of business: leadership development, conflict resolution, and high-stakes communication.A certified behavior analyst and Master Trainer in Crucial Conversations, Greg has empowered thousands of professionals to turn ordinary interactions into extraordinary results.SHOW SUMMARYIn this episode of the Selling from the Heart Podcast, Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Greg Stephens to explore how sales professionals and leaders can restore even the most challenging or “impossible” relationships. Greg shares powerful insights on authenticity, mindset, and communication—highlighting how self-limiting beliefs often stand in the way of trust and progress.The conversation dives into practical strategies for setting clear agreements, defining mutual respect, and creating psychological safety in client and team relationships. Through real-world examples and role-playing, Greg demonstrates how intentional communication can transform conflict into collaboration and rebuild trust where it feels lost.KEY TAKEAWAYSAuthenticity as a Foundation: Sustainable sales success is impossible without an authentic connection and a baseline of mutual respect.Mindset Over Circumstance: Most "impossible" relationships are actually limited by our own internal beliefs—change your narrative to change the outcome.Define Respect Early: Success lies in establishing clear agreements and understanding exactly what "respect" means to your client.The Information Gap: Open and honest communication about expectations is vital; without information, people create "worst-case" stories that lead to downward spirals.Radical Accountability: You cannot control another person, but you have 100% control over your attitude, your actions, and how you show up.HIGHLIGHT QUOTESEveryone wants to buy, no one wants to be sold.If I don't have your best in mind, it's going to come across as me trying to get something for myself.People have to have psychological safety in the conversation—mutual purpose and mutual respect.In the absence of information, we make it up and we make up the worst story we can.

In this raw episode of Crucial Conversations, a husband and wife get real about relationships, masculinity, trauma, and the uncomfortable truths people avoid. They challenge the idea that love is just a feeling, question whether partners should help heal each other, and ask the tough question: do you love your partner—or just the idea of them?The conversation dives into boredom in long-term relationships, cultural identity, immigration fears in LA, interracial dating hypocrisy, and why many Latinos feel conflicted about patriotism and the American flag. Unfiltered, opinionated, and honest—this episode isn't for the easily offended.#CrucialConversations #MarriageTalk #RealRelationships #HardTruths #Masculinity #EmotionalGrowth #LatinoVoices #Identity #ImmigrationTalk #Unfiltered #CouplesPodcast

In this episode, we dive into an overlooked conversation that could make a huge difference in your day-to-day experience. We're talking about how to talk about, and fairly distribute, household labor! You'll hear why big life events are the perfect time to rebalance labor, how to approach these conversations without conflict, and the simple steps to make changes stick. I'm also giving you free access to a tool I created to help your family redistribute household labor equitably. Grab it here! ( https://www.alexishaselberger.com/catalog)This show is brought to you by: ⁠Time Well Spent : the time management course for real people, just like you, who want to do more and stress less -  https://www.alexishaselberger.com/time-well-spent-course Stay connected!:Visit our website at  ⁠https://www.alexishaselberger.com⁠ Check out the " ⁠Time Well Spent: Time Management for Real People⁠ “ Course ( https://www.alexishaselberger.com/time-well-spent-course )Join the  ⁠Do More, Stress Less Facebook Community⁠  ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/domorestressless )Connect on  ⁠Linkedin⁠  ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-haselberger/ )Follow us for updates and more content: Youtube  ( https://www.youtube.com/c/DoMoreStressLess ) ⁠Instagram⁠  ( https://www.instagram.com/do.more.stress.less/ ) ⁠TikTok⁠  ( https://www.tiktok.com/@do.more.stress.less)  ⁠Facebook⁠  ( https://www.facebook.com/domorestressless )We want your feedback!:If you have constructive feedback, please email us at alexis+podcastfeedback@alexishaselberger.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and share with a friend!Transcript:Read it  ⁠here⁠ !

One of TP&R's all-time standout conversations—perfect for new listeners discovering the show this week. In this special ICYMI release, Corey revisits his deeply human, deeply honest conversation with David Brooks—New York Times columnist, bestselling author of The Second Mountain and How to Know a Person, and one of the most thoughtful public voices on moral formation, democracy, and what it takes to live well with one another. This episode has become a listener favorite not because it's political in the usual sense… but because it's personal. Corey and David talk candidly about depression, friendship, loss, faith, identity, community-building, and the inner transformations required for a democratic people to live together without coming apart. If you're new to TP&R thanks to the Podbean or Overcast promotions, start here. This is TP&R at its best: honest, vulnerable, intellectually rigorous, and grounded in real moral imagination.

In this episode, Morten and Lars give their yearly update on the tools they use in their GTD practices. They'll highlight the changes in their systems over the last years, including: - What's new from a hardware and software perspective - How Morten is liking the new Remarkable and some Apple devices - How Lars is playing with both AI and paper in his practice ..and MUCH more! We hope that this helps you in your GTD journey and if you have questions for us to pick up in the podcast, you can reach us at podcast@vitallearning.dk And as always, we'd love for you to follow or connect with us on LinkedIn! We always like to connect with GTD'ers from around the world, you can find the links to our YouTube profiles in the Links below. We have some really cool free webinars coming up, which we really want you to join

In this special episode, Jo and Vince from Kardia Questions joins us to help ease the anxiety we might all be feeling when imagining the conversations around the holidays. They help set helpful framework for what good questions are, give practical examples and tangible ways to navigate conversations, and share their heart for bringing Jesus into every conversation.  Text Us: (650)600-0402 | Connect with Us      

My incredible husband, Will, turns 40 today and I am so excited to have him on the podcast! He is going to give you forty pieces of wisdom for his 40th birthday, or as we like to call it, "40 for 40 will Will Ray." Resources from this episode: Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson Episode 070 - Crucial Conversations Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis Harry Potter Series Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington ​Proverbs 22:7  Proverbs 11:25 God and Money by John Cortines Financial Peace University Parenting by Paul David Tripp Unsung Hero Movie The Family Teams Podcast  The Compound Effect by Darren Harden Proverbs 4:7 F3 Nation Colossians 3:23 Proverbs 3:13 Send Nancy an audio message!  Dwell Bible App Discount  Rhythms Reset Join my email list!  Visit my Amazon Cornerstore! Nancy Ray Website Nancy Ray on Instagram Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!  

Ever freeze up in a tough project conversation? Or worse—blow it up? In this episode of Project Management Happy Hour, Kim and Kate revisit their all-time favorite: Crucial Conversations by the team at VitalSmarts (now Crucial Learning). This book completely changed how they lead, negotiate, and manage conflict. Learn how to spot when a conversation turns "crucial," stay in dialogue instead of defensiveness, and use "don't-do statements" and "start with heart" to navigate conflict like a pro. We're not sponsored—just obsessed. If you lead projects or people, this book will change your life.

This week, we're re-sharing what we thought was an “instant classic” from last year's Restore Gathering; a deeply personal and thought-provoking message about family, faith, and the complexity of life from Joseph Grenny, author of Crucial Conversations and co-founder of The Other Side Academy.Drawing from his own experience with his own “messy” family, Joseph speaks openly about moments of despair, like the heartache of watching loved ones—including his own children—struggle with addiction, estrangement, and other crises.But at the heart of his message is a radical idea: that the phrase "All is well" can be true even in the face of chaos and imperfection. He challenges the traditional "brochure" image of family success, reminding us that not even the families in our sacred texts had it all together. Through powerful stories of redemption, both from his own family and the lives transformed at The Other Side Academy, Joseph encourages us to rethink what it means to succeed as families, and to embrace waiting as part of God's divine work.We think Joseph's words will resonate deeply with anyone who has felt the pain of seeing a loved one struggle, and we hope it offers both comfort and inspiration. I also want to mention that Joseph's full presentation is available on our YouTube channel. We highly recommend watching it there—his visuals are fantastic, and it's a completely different experience seeing him bring it all to life in person.Joseph will be speaking at Restore again this year, along with a fantastic line up of speakers, musicians, and performers. We would love to have you join us! Visit faithmatters.org/restore to see the agenda and get your tickets.