Podcasts about increase your influence

You delegated it. They came back with questions you already answered.You re-delegated it. They came back with a version that missed the point.The third time, you just did it yourself. And in that moment, without meaning to, you made a decision you'll be living with for the rest of the year.Today I'm going to show you the real reason that keeps happening and give you one four-box framework that stops it. > Links mentioned within

Christi Le Fevre in TX Hill Country discusses choices you can make that expand your impact.

You solved three problems this week that weren't yours to solve. You know it. And somewhere in the back of your head — you already know why they keep coming back.The answer isn't your team's capability. It's the system you built without realizing it.Today I'm going to show you the real reason your team keeps bringing problems back to you — the three moments you built this pattern without ever seeing it — and I'm going to give you one question that starts breaking it the next time someone dumps a problem back on your plate.> Links mentioned within

Are your best people still waiting on you to make decisions they should be making themselves?Q3 starts in weeks. And if you're honest — too many decisions are still routing to you. Not because your team can't handle more. Because you never handed it off.You've spent the first half of the year creating stability for your team. Now it's time to ask — who's creating leverage for you? Today I'm going to show you the four categories of decisions that belong to your team, not you. And which ones your team should be making without you by the end of Q3. > Links mentioned within

AI is incredible. In the last two years, I've watched executives accomplish in hours what used to take weeks. The speed is real. The leverage is real. I'm not here to slow any of that down.But I am here to remind you of something. Something so obvious… so fundamental… that most leaders don't even notice when it starts to slip.And it's the one thing AI will never be able to replace. Let's dive in.> Links mentioned within

Think about your decision-making over the last week.Not how many decisions you made—but which ones actually got your best thinking.Because most leaders aren't moving too slowly. Decisions are happening all day. Emails, approvals, priorities, direction calls. It doesn't stop.But at the end of the week, something still feels off.Work moved. The days were full. And yet the decisions that actually change something—the ones that move the business forward—are still sitting there.Here's what's usually going on. It's not that you're making too few decisions.It's that under pressure—the wrong decisions are getting your best thinking. Let's dive in.> Links mentioned within

When everything keeps changing — strategy shifts, priorities move, the market turns — how do great leaders create stability? Because here's what most people get wrong…Your team isn't looking for more information. They're looking for something to rely on. And in moments like this, they're not looking at the org chart. They're not looking at the plan.They're looking at you.And the question they're asking–without ever saying it out loud–is: Can I trust what this person is saying right now?Because how you show up in moments of change doesn't just affect morale. It shapes how fast your team moves, how clearly they think, and whether they step forward and act– or wait for permission.Today, we're breaking down how leaders actually create stability when everything keeps changing and why it has nothing to do with having all the answers. Let's dive in.> Links mentioned within

Let me ask you something…Are you starting to see signs of change fatigue on your team?Not burnout. Not disengagement. But something more subtle…Work is still getting done. But execution feels slower. Decisions take longer. And there's a hesitation that wasn't there before. And when you ask what's going on, the answer sounds familiar:  “It's just… a lot of change.”And they're not wrong.But here's what most leaders miss—Change fatigue doesn't turn into resistance because there's too much change.It happens when the change stops making sense.When priorities keep shifting… but the reason behind them doesn't feel consistent.And over time, your team stops asking: “How do I make this work?”And starts wondering:  “Is this going to change again?”That's the shift.And if you don't catch it early—it quietly kills momentum. Let's dive in.> Links mentioned within

If your business feels harder to run than it should… It's probably not because people aren't working hard enough. In most teams I work with—effort isn't the problem. There's plenty of effort.People are busy.  Calendars are full. Work is moving. And yet… It still feels like something's off.Progress is slower than it should be. Things take longer than expected. And you're still getting pulled back into the weeds.Why?Because all that effort… Isn't translating into momentum. Let's unpack this.> Links mentioned within

Most leaders don't wake up and say: “Today, I'm going to micromanage my team.”And yet… They find themselves back in the weeds.Checking everything. Fixing things. Redoing work they already delegated. Sitting in meetings they shouldn't need to be in. Reviewing things they thought they already handed off.Not because they want to…Because they feel like they have to.And if you've ever said this to yourself—“Let me just look at it real quick…”“I'll just clean this up…”“It's faster if I do it…”Then you already know what I'm talking about. So what's really going on? Let's dive in.> Links mentioned within

Jeff Robinson, Executive Leadership Coach at Foundational Leadership LLC, brings more than 25 years of experience working with leaders across industries to this conversation on the People Solve Problems podcast. With a background in organizational leadership and development, Jeff is known for his practical, easygoing approach to helping people understand what it actually takes to lead well. The conversation centers on his new book, Leadership SUCCESS: Expand Your Presence, Build Trust, and Increase Your Influence, and the ideas inside it that he returns to again and again in his coaching work. Jeff opens by reframing what confidence actually means. It has very little to do with how much you know, he explains. Confidence is really about knowing you can handle whatever comes at you. He points out that most people, when they think back through their careers and their lives, have already survived everything that has challenged them. That track record is the foundation. The most trusted leaders are the ones who can look at a new problem and break it down calmly, whether or not they have faced that exact situation before, because they have learned to trust their own ability to figure things out. Building that confidence, Jeff notes, requires understanding where a person is starting from. Leadership development is not one size fits all. Some people arrive with natural confidence built from experiences completely outside of business, whether from military service, a farming background, or simply a life that demanded adaptability. Others need to build from the ground up, developing their intuition, managing their inner critic, and learning to listen to the right internal voice. The goal is always to identify the gap between where someone is and where they need to be, and then build from there. One of the most important capabilities Jeff works to develop in leaders is the ability to stay calm under pressure. He is direct about this: if a leader loses composure, the people around them will follow. Staying calm is not passive. Jeff teaches people to recognize the physical signals that precede stress, such as tunnel vision or heat rising in the body, and to interrupt those signals before they take hold. One technique he returns to is asking yourself questions when stress begins to build. Doing so prompts the brain to shift out of fight-or-flight mode and back into the clear thinking needed to actually solve the problem at hand. Jeff's coaching philosophy reflects the same kind of adaptability he teaches. He describes coaching as holding up a mirror, asking questions that help people see what they could not see on their own. But he also breaks conventional coaching rules when needed, shifting into mentoring or direct problem discussion when a person needs that first, then bringing them back into a coaching conversation. He adjusts his approach entirely based on the individual, from brand-new leaders who need concrete behavioral guidance to experienced executives ready for deeper reflection. For new leaders specifically, Jeff identifies the most common mistake as assuming the role requires a sudden transformation. They are still the same person they were the day before, and the most important thing they can do is focus on relationships and on maintaining the respect of the people around them. Respect, he says, is what causes people to start following you. You may not be able to build on it right away, but you cannot afford to lose it. The conversation closes with Jeff describing Leadership SUCCESS as a practical framework drawn from his most common coaching experiences, targeted at mid to high-level leaders who are stuck and looking for a clear path forward. The book is available in all formats on Amazon. Connect with Jeff Robinson and explore his work: Website: www.foundations4.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeff-w-robinson Book on Amazon: amzn.to/3MSvbij

Let me give you a tough one to hear…If your team isn't delivering the results you want—it's probably not a people problem.It's a clarity problem.And I know that's not what most leaders want to hear…Because it's a lot easier to say: “They're not stepping up.” “They're not thinking big enough.” “They're not executing.”But if you have smart, capable people… and you're still not getting the outcome you want—There's something else going on. Let's break it down.> Links mentioned within

Let me ask you something…Have you ever looked at your team and thought: “I've got good people… so why am I still frustrated with the results?”They're working. They're responsive. They're in the meetings. They're doing what you asked…And yet—something's off. Deadlines slip. The quality isn't quite there. You find yourself jumping back in…rewriting things… re-explaining things… stepping into details you shouldn't have to touch.And if you're being honest. You've probably caught yourself thinking: “Why can't they just do it the way I would?” I've been there. And here's what I had to learn the hard way… It wasn't them.It was me. And once I saw it… I couldn't unsee it.Not because my team wasn't capable. But because I was managing activity… when I should've been managing outcomes. And that one shift changes everything.Let's dive in.> Links mentioned within

Send us Fan MailThe time to grow a healthy, thriving youth ministry is NOW...let's work together to make it happen! Check out GrowYourYouthMinistry.com for more info *** Youth ministry leadership doesn't always look how you expected it to look. In this episode, we will be discussing three things nobody tells you about student ministry leadership...the kind of lessons you usually only learn the hard way.  As a youth pastor, you will quickly learn that your job will often morph into something you may not have expected, but that's not always a bad thing.  If you're serious about growing the size and health of your youth ministry, this one will challenge you in the best way.  

Send us Fan MailThe time to grow a healthy, thriving youth ministry is NOW...let's work together! Make sure to check out GrowYourYouthMinistry.com *** Your future self as a youth pastor is going to here sooner than you think, and youth ministry has a way of making that painfully obvious. In this episode, we talk about the “Morning You vs Night You” problem in youth ministry and how small choices stack up into either burnout or strength, especially when you're carrying students, parents, volunteers, and a full student ministry calendar.  We walk through five moves your future youth pastor self will genuinely thank you for.  Along the way we get honest about why youth leaders slip, how avoidance multiplies stress, and why authentic listening builds the kind of youth group students actually want to invite friends into.  If this helped, make sure you subscribe, share it with another friend in youth ministry, and leave a review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ with the habit you're committing to next!=======You may also enjoy these episodes:(#083) 5 Healthy Habits for Youth Pastors to Implement Into Youth Ministry(#224) 5 Leadership Habits of Highly Effective & Visionary Youth Pastors(#020) Increase Your Influence in Leadership w/ Emotional Intelligence(#038) How to Plan Your Week in Youth Ministry - Time Management Tips=======We love hearing from you all and we do our best to provide powerful and insightful youth ministry content on a weekly basis to be that coach and mentor you may not have, but desperately need.If you have an episode idea, please E-Mail us at MinistryCoachPodcast@gmail.com!If you have it on your heart to support this ministry, please consider going to our Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/ministrycoach=========

Most leaders burn out because they treat energy like its some bonus reward. Something they'll have time for “when things calm down.”  Its easy for them to optimize the strategy. To optimize their team. But they never intentionally optimize the one resource that powers it all. Themselves.That oversight gets expensive. Because when your energy drops, so does your judgment drops. And when your judgment drops, your team feels it. When I talk about Energy, I'm not just talking just self-care. I'm talking about leadership capacity.  And today, I want to unpack why high-performing leaders treat energy as strategy — not something they earn after the work is done…but as the fuel that makes the work possible in the first place. > Links mentioned within

If everything feels urgent, it's not because your business is chaotic. It's because you're operating below your level. As your leadership grows, your responsibility changes. But too many senior leaders are still spending their week solving problems. Approving. Fixing. Jumping in. And then wondering why there's never enough time.Here's the truth: If you're still operating like the best operator in the room…You'll never become the architect. Today, I want to break down what separates leaders who stay buried from the ones who build leverage. Let's dive in.> Links mentioned within

You invest in your team. You send them to training. You coach them. You expect them to grow.But let me ask you something — when was the last time you invested in you? Not for optics. Not for a keynote. Not because someone told you to. But because you wanted to elevate your game. I see a lot of senior levels plateau because they stopped working on themselves.Businesses evolve. Markets shift. Responsibilities increase.If you don't evolve at the same pace…the business will outgrow you. And so will your influence. Today, I want to talk about the skill most leaders neglect – and why it's costing them more than they realize. Let's dive in.> Links mentioned within

Have you ever hit Friday afternoon…closed your laptop…and just felt wiped?You know you worked hard. You were in meetings all week. You answered a ton of emails. You solved problems. But if someone asked you,  “What actually moved?”You'd hesitate. And that feeling? That subtle frustration? That's the productivity trap no one talks about.And if you don't filter and prioritize your focus, you'll end up playing fireman all week.Today I want to break down the trap most high-performing leaders fall into —and the simple shift that changes everything. Let's dive in.> Links mentioned within

Ever leave a leadership meeting feeling good…but a week later, nothing has really changed?The team's busy.Decisions are getting made.Work is moving.And yet—momentum feels harder than it should..When that happens, it's rarely about motivation. It's a decision problem. Not the speed of decisions.Not the volume.But whether those decisions are clearly tied to the outcomes you actually want. Because decisions are the bridge between vision and results.And when that bridge isn't clear, progress slows—even with great people.I'm going to break down the decision filter great leaders use move the business forward.> Links mentioned within

Have you ever noticed how, on the surface, everything looks aligned. The vision is clear. The strategy makes sense. Leadership agrees on the directionAnd yet—execution feels heavy. Decisions slow down. Momentum fades. Teams hesitate.Not because they're confused—but because the signals don't line up.This is why teams lose momentum even when leaders agree. And it comes down to one thing: what gets reinforced after the meeting.That's what we're going to unpack. Let's dive in.> Links mentioned within

Imagine this. You just wrapped a kickoff meeting.The room was energized. Heads were nodding. People were engaged.Someone even said, “This is exactly what we needed.”You walk out thinking, We're finally aligned. And then… the meeting ends.Everyone goes back to their inbox. Client work takes over. Slack lights up. Deadlines resurface. And within days—sometimes hours—something shifts.Not because the vision wasn't strong.Not because people didn't care. But because reality returned—and the pace of the business reasserted itself.This isn't a people problem. It's a leadership moment.Today, I want to unpack why vision so often loses momentum after the meeting—and what great leaders do differently to make sure it doesn't. Let's dive in.> Links mentioned within

Ravi Rajani shows you how to build meaningful relationships, one conversation at a time. — YOU'LL LEARN — 1) The Three C's of building trust2) What makes people say, “Tell me more” 3) Why compliments come across as insincereSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1125 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT RAVI — Ravi Rajani is an international keynote speaker, transformational coach and LinkedIn Learning instructor, with over 65,000 people having taken his courses on Conscious and Charismatic Communication. Widely seen as one of the world's top communication experts, mission-driven leaders, entrepreneurs and organizations such as Oracle NetSuite, T-Mobile, and Sherwin-Williams have engaged Ravi to help them and their people become masterful communicators so they can build meaningful relationships that amplify revenue growth and cultivate a culture of trust.Off stage or camera, Ravi lives just outside of London, UK, with his wife, son, daughter and furry little West Highland Terrier. He loves the movie Limitless, a good stand-up comedian and a quintessentially British suit.• Book: Relationship Currency: Five Communication Habits For Limitless Influence and Business Success• LinkedIn: Ravi Rajani— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Study: “Processing of Social and Monetary Rewards in the Human Striatum” by Keise Izuma, Daisuke N. Saito, and Norihiro Sadato• Book: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME.• Vanguard. Give your clients consistent results year in and year out with vanguard.com/AUDIOSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hi Everyone! Today, my guest is Melquea Smith, kidlit illustrator! Melquea has been a previous guest, and it was great to catch up with her! Here is more about Melquea: My name is Melquea Smith, and I'm a Black, multi-award-winning, published children's book illustrator based in New York.Melquea's website:https://www.prettykittypaintings.com/Join Brown Sugar Graphics, Melquea's clip art membership: prettykittypaintings.com/bsgFollow Melquea on her email list: https://www.prettykittypaintings.com/podcastThe book she mentioned. "Reach Out: The Simple Strategy You Need to Expand Your Network and Increase Your Influence" by Molly Beck.Thanks for listening!

In my last video, I walked through how high-impact leaders define their leadership principles — the standards that guide decisions, coaching, and hard conversations.Today, I want to bring that framework to life.These aren't theoretical principles.They came directly from leaders inside my leadership program. I'm going to share three examples, not so you copy them — but so you see how principles show up when they're done right. Let's dive in.> Links mentioned within

High-impact leaders don't spend more time deciding. They decide less — because their standards already made the call.Here's what most leaders miss. What drains them isn't the volume of decisions.It's having to make the same ones over and over again because expectations were never made clear.High-impact leaders play a different role. They set standards, define expectations, and reinforce them consistently.Today, I want to show you how to define your leadership principles, communicate them clearly, and use them to coach performance, navigate hard conversations, and create decision clarity across your team. Let's dive in.> Links mentioned within

High-performing leaders don't start the year asking how to do more.  They start by deciding what no longer deserves their attention.That's the difference most leaders miss. Because effort isn't the constraint anymore.  Focus is.And the leaders who create real momentum don't pile goals on top of goals. They intentionally create space.Today, I want to show you what high-performing leaders let go of—and how that decision becomes the foundation for doing less, but better. Let's dive in.>> Links mentioned within

Every January looks the same on the surface. New goals. New priorities. Fresh energy. Big intentions.And yet—by March—most leaders are already back on the endless treadmill of reaction mode.Not because they lost motivation. Not because they lack discipline. But because they started the year with the same operating system that burned them out last year.If you want something different, you have to do something different.  If you stay on the same treadmill, you will get the same results. Acceleration without clarity doesn't create momentum, it creates more friction.Today, I want to reframe how the most effective leaders intentionally start the year and invite their team into the process of co-creating success in the year ahead. Let's dive in.>> Links mentioned within

Business growth isn't a product of effort anymore. It's a product of clarity, speed, and the quality of decisions leaders make under pressure.And in fast-moving companies, the real limit on growth isn't strategy. It's not more resources. It's not talent. It's how quickly leaders can simplify complexity and activate momentum.I've watched businesses with massive potential plateau—not because they lacked opportunity—but because they couldn't align, decide, or move at the pace the market required.And the companies breaking through right now? They're not the ones adding more people.They're the ones upgrading the operating system that runs the business.Today, I'm breaking down what it means to become an AI-Driven Business—one that uses AI not to replace work, but to accelerate clarity and scale momentum. Let's dive in.>> Links mentioned within

I was talking to a senior leader last week who said something I've heard a hundred times: “I love my team — but they're drowning in the speed of change.”And she was right. AI is rewriting workflows.The business is being forced to adapt faster than ever. Which means priorities shift overnight. Decisions have to be made faster.  And even the best teams feel the pressure.But here's what I told her: AI can accelerate the work — but only leaders can elevate it.Her team wasn't stuck because of a lack of skill. They were stuck because the pace of change was moving faster than their understanding of it.And she's not alone. So today, I'm breaking down how the best leaders help their teams think clearer, adapt faster, and rise to the demands of this new environment.Let's dive in.>> Links mentioned within

Let me ask you something — are you growing as fast as your business needs you to?Because here's the truth: your team can only move at the pace you lead. If you stay the same, your decisions stay the same. Your systems stay the same. Your results stay the same.And in a world being reshaped by AI, speed, and constant change, the question isn't “How do I keep up?” It's: “How fast can I learn, adapt, and lead differently?”Today, I'm going to show you what it means to become an AI-First Leader — someone who uses AI not as a shortcut, but as a strategic advantage to save time and amplify your leadership. Let's dive in>> Links mentioned within

You've led teams. You've delivered results. You've earned the trust that comes with experience.But the higher you go, the more you realize—leadership presence isn't about your position or your title.It's about the energy you bring, the clarity you create, and the influence you have on the people around you. Because people don't just follow your instructions. They follow your example.Today, I'm breaking down three traits that elevate every great leader: composure, communication, and vision. Let's dive in.>> Links mentioned within

Send us a textStart the New Year strong and grow a healthy, thriving youth ministry...if you'd like to work with us, check out GrowYourYouthMinistry.com *** The unfortunate truth is that "church hurt" is a real thing and it's only a matter of time until you have a student in your youth ministry or a parent of a student who is dealing with it.  So how, as a youth pastor, should you react and handle those dealing with church hurt?  In this episode, we open up about how church hurt happens, what it looks like across a wide spectrum, and how youth pastors and student ministry leaders can respond with empathy, patience, and integrity that rebuilds trust and relationships.If you're a youth pastor, youth leader, or youth ministry volunteer looking for a steady path through delicate seasons, this conversation offers tools to listen well, move slowly, and lead with the kind of consistency that heals. 

Every team has goals. But only a few actually hit them.The problem isn't ambition. It's the absence of systems. Because strategy gives direction. But systems? That's how leaders create momentum.Today, I'm breaking down how you can turn goals into reality by building systems that turn your intention into execution. Because having a team that executes is the game every leader has to master. Let's dive in.>> Links mentioned within

How do leaders regain lost motivation?  At some point or another, every one of us will hit a rut.  A moment when our energy is low and we've lost our focus and as a result our mojo (the spark we pride ourselves in having). Here's the question - what do you do when that happens?  Today, I am going to give you a simple way to reignite your motivation. Let's dive in.>> Links mentioned within

Ever feel like your business only runs when you're in the room? That's not productivity—that's dependency.Real productivity isn't about squeezing more into your day. It's about building a system that frees up your time, distributes ownership, and keeps the business moving without you in every decision.Today, I'm breaking down the productivity system the most effective leaders use to scale without burning out. Let's dive in.>> Links mentioned within

Let me ask you something. Have you ever thought, “If I just had more time and resources, I'd finally feel caught up”? More people. More tools. More hands on deck.Here's the truth: without a productivity system, more resources and help doesn't create freedom. It just magnifies the chaos. Today, I'm breaking down why burnout isn't about your task list—and what leaders, like yourself, can do to protect your energy, set boundaries, and lead with clarity. Let's dive in.>> Links mentioned within

Your calendar's packed. Your inbox is overflowing. But here's the real question—is any of it actually moving the needle?The most effective leaders don't try to do it all. They are able to filter the noise and focus on the decisions and actions that create momentum.Today, I'm breaking down how the best leaders prioritize so you stop reacting and start leading with intentional focus. Let's dive in.>> Links mentioned within

If you want to elevate your level of productivity, you have to elevate your level of self-reflection.Self-reflection is a habit - just like the habits I have been discussing over the last couple weeks.Today, I'm going to share with you a simple habit I use to evaluate my productivity. It's called the Mirror Test and if you want to raise your game, I encourage you to take it.>> Links mentioned within

How do you actually know if you're leading well? Not just driving revenue. Not just hitting targets. I'm talking about leading with clarity, intention, and long-term impact. Here's the truth: most senior leaders measure the business… but not their leadership. And if you're not tracking your leadership , you can't improve it. Today, I'm breaking down 5 leadership KPIs the best executives track so you can scale your leadership the same way you scale your business. Let's dive in.>> Links mentioned within

What's one way I can compete with yesterday's version of me today? In this episode, Kevin welcomes Jake Thompson for a practical conversation on building influence from the inside out. They discuss how leading yourself first sets an example for others and highlight the difference between managing tasks and leading people. Jake offers actionable strategies for improvement, like the “Start, Stop, Continue” method for self-improvement and a three-question reflection model after meetings or conversations. Jake and Kevin also discuss common leadership challenges such as giving effective feedback, balancing management with emotional intelligence, and the difference between being nice and being kind. Jake's Story: Jake Thompson is the author of Lead Better Now: A Practical Guide to Increase Your Influence as a Leader. He is a leadership performance coach and the Chief Encouragement Officer at Compete Every Day, a brand he started in 2011 by first selling t-shirts out of the trunk of his car. Jake has spent more than a decade working with leaders and organizations worldwide on how to get better results for themselves and their teams. He has been featured in Forbes, Inc. Magazine, hosts a podcast with over two million downloads, and has directly impacted over 85,000 ambitious leaders. Jake lives in Dallas/Fort Worth with his wife, Elena, and their “kids,” aka rescue dogs, Sugar, Donut, Snacks, & Pop-Tart. This Episode is brought to you by... Flexible Leadership is every leader's guide to greater success in a world of increasing complexity and chaos.  Book Recommendations Lead Better Now: A Practical Guide to Increase Your Influence as a Leader Jake Thompson Better Small Talk: Talk to Anyone, Avoid Awkwardness, Generate Deep Conversations, and Make Real Friends by Patrick King How to Work with Complicated People: Strategies for Effective Collaboration with (Nearly) Anyone by Ryan Leak Like this? Transformational Influence with Walt Rakowich Maximizing Influence with Dave Durand Join Our Community If you want to view our live podcast episodes, hear about new releases, or chat with others who enjoy this podcast join one of our communities below. Join the Facebook Group Join the LinkedIn Group   Leave a Review If you liked this conversation, we'd be thrilled if you'd let others know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Here's a quick guide for posting a review. Review on Apple: https://remarkablepodcast.com/itunes    Podcast Better! Sign up with Libsyn and get up to 2 months free! Use promo code: RLP  

Have you ever left a meeting wondering, “What was the point of that?” You're not alone.Most meetings aren't bad because people don't care. They're bad because no one's owning how they're run. The most effective executives don't just show up to meetings.They architect them—intentionally and with purpose. Today, I'm breaking down 5 meeting strategies the world's top C-level executives swear by. Let's dive in.>> Links mentioned within

Have you ever worked with someone who was brilliant—but couldn't lead? They nailed every metric. Sharp thinker. Polished communicator. But when it comes to people? Influence? Vision? They stalled. Because here's the truth: IQ gets you in the room. EQ helps you lead the room. But it's SQ that reminds you why the room even matters. Today, we're unpacking the difference between IQ, EQ, and SQ—and what great leaders know about using all three. Let's dive in.>> Links mentioned within

Let me ask you something. When was the last time a skip-level meeting gave you real insight, not just polite updates?Skip-levels should be one of the most powerful leadership tools you have. But most leaders waste them. They walk out with surface-level check-ins instead of clarity, trust, and truth. Today, I'm sharing the strategic questions that turn skip-levels into high-impact conversations so your team feels heard, your vision gets reinforced, and your leadership actually scales. Let's dive in.>> Links mentioned within

Validation is more than just nodding along. It's the foundation of healthy communication, trust, and connection. And for today's guest, it could change the world as we know it. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Caroline Fleck, licensed psychologist, corporate consultant, and author of Validation: How the Skill Set That Revolutionized Psychology Will Transform Your Relationships, Increase Your Influence, and Change Your Life. Her work has been translated into nine languages and has been featured in The New York Times, Good Morning America, and more.We find out why validation is the key to making people feel truly seen and understood, how to avoid the trap of invalidation, and why self-validation is just as important as validating others. You'll also hear about Caroline's “Validation Ladder,” a simple, actionable framework you can use to strengthen your relationships, improve your influence, and even boost your own mental health.Top 5 Takeaways:Validation Builds Connection: It's about acceptance, not agreement, and it's essential for building trust.Self-Validation Fuels Resilience: Being kind to yourself and acknowledging your feelings can help you model healthy behavior for others.The Validation Ladder: Caroline's step-by-step framework teaches mindfulness, understanding, and empathy as skills you can practice daily.Avoiding Invalidation: Dismissing or minimizing feelings can harm relationships and mental health.Validation vs. Praise: Learn why genuine, non-judgmental acceptance is far more powerful than approval or flattery.If you want to become a better communicator, a stronger leader, or simply deepen your personal relationships, this conversation is packed with practical tools to help you get there.LINKSDr. Caroline Fleck's book about validationMeaningful Work with Tamara Myles and Wes AdamsThe Mattering Mindset on The Mental Training Lab--------------The Grow the Good Podcast is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

Dr. Caroline Fleck is a cognitive behavioral psychologist, an author, and an Adjunct Clinical Instructor at Stanford. She joins Paul to discuss validation and the importance of belonging. She also provides useful tips on how to support yourself and others with acceptance. Look for her new book, Validation: How the Skill Set That Revolutionized Psychology Will Transform Your Relationships, Increase Your Influence, and Change Your LifeMore about Dr. Fleckhttps://www.instagram.com/stories/carolinefleckphd/https://www.tiktok.com/@drcarolinefleckhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinefleck/www.drcarolinefleck.comBIG FAVOR ASK FROM PAUL: It would help the show if you took a really quick (2 min) survey for potential advertisers. We did one in the past but they need a new one. You can take it at Gum.FM/Mental. If you're interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.com WAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCASTSubscribe via Apple Podcasts (or whatever player you use). It costs nothing. It's extremely helpful to have your subscription set to download all episodes automatically. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mental-illness-happy-hour/id427377900?mt=2Spread the word via social media. It costs nothing.Our website is www.mentalpod.com our FB is www.Facebook.com/mentalpod and our Twitter and Instagram are both @Mentalpod Become a much-needed Patreon monthly-donor (with occasional rewards) for as little as $1/month at www.Patreon.com/mentalpod Become a one-time or monthly donor via PayPal at https://mentalpod.com/donateYou can also donate via Zelle (make payment to mentalpod@gmail.com) To donate via Venmo make payment to @Mentalpod See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As you may have heard on previous episodes here, I've grown a distaste for the concept of validation. It seems everyone wants to talk about their feelings and perspectives and then claim their right to be validated, even if their feelings and perspectives are incredibly misguided and harming themselves and others. I began putting my focus on self-validation and fulfilling the need internally instead of looking to others. It turns out, I wasn't totally off base, but I was missing out on an opportunity to connect with people. I found out by having a deep conversation with Dr. Caroline Fleck, which you are about to hear. Caroline is a licensed psychologist and a world-renowned expert on the topic of validation, and her new book Validation: How the Skill Set That Revolutionized Psychology Will Transform Your Relationships, Increase Your Influence, and Change Your Life has already been translated in nine different languages. Caroline has an M.A. and PhD from the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University and has become a highly respected voice in psychology which finds her featured in national media outlets, such as The New York Times, Good Morning America, and The Huffington Post. When I got the request to have her on the show, I replied back to her personally, sharing my reservations, and asked if she was game to discuss my skepticism on validation. She was, and I got great value and insight into what validation is and is not, and how I can better use it to authentically connect with people, even if I do not at all align or support their perspective. I believe you'll find great value here. drcarolinefleck.com Sign up for your $1/month trial period at shopify.com/kevin Go to shipstation.com and use code KEVIN to start your free trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leave an Amazon Rating or Review for my New York Times Bestselling book, Make Money Easy!Dr. Caroline Fleck transformed 10 years of depression into her greatest superpower. I connected with Caroline about her book "Validation" and discovered how she turned decades of mental health struggles, including breast cancer and multiple sclerosis, into profound tools for healing others. Her story reveals why traditional therapy failed her but electric shock therapy provided the breakthrough she needed. The most powerful moment came when she shared how her darkest experiences became the key to validating suicidal patients in ways no one else could. This conversation will transform how you view suffering and teach you why validation, not just love, creates real connection in relationships.Buy Dr. Fleck's book Validation: How the Skill Set That Revolutionized Psychology Will Transform Your Relationships, Increase Your Influence, and Change Your LifeIn this episode you will learn:How to transform your deepest suffering into your greatest superpower for helping othersHow electric shock therapy saved Dr. Fleck when traditional methods failedThe difference between validation and love in relationships and why both are essentialWhy validation is the universal antidote to the world's greatest pain - invalidationHow to support someone who is suffering without enabling destructive behaviorsFor more information go to https://www.lewishowes.com/1791For more Greatness text PODCAST to +1 (614) 350-3960More SOG episodes we think you'll love:Dr. Caroline Fleck – greatness.lnk.to/1774SCMuniba Mazari – greatness.lnk.to/1684SCLiz Gilbert  – greatness.lnk.to/1681SC Get more from Lewis! Get my New York Times Bestselling book, Make Money Easy!Get The Greatness Mindset audiobook on SpotifyText Lewis AIYouTubeInstagramWebsiteTiktokFacebookX

Leave an Amazon Rating or Review for my New York Times Bestselling book, Make Money Easy!What if the key to deeper connections isn't in what you say, but in how you listen? Dr. Caroline Fleck, licensed psychologist and Stanford instructor, reveals the transformative power of validation - a skillset that revolutionized psychology yet remains largely unknown outside clinical settings. Her journey through depression and breast cancer gives her unique insight into why feeling truly seen matters more than love itself. She breaks down the surprising science behind techniques like "copying" that can increase trust by 25% and even overcome implicit bias. This conversation unveils a step-by-step framework that anyone can use to create authentic connection, navigate difficult emotions, and transform relationships - whether you're dealing with a suicidal patient or simply trying to understand your partner better.Buy Dr. Fleck's book Validation: How the Skill Set That Revolutionized Psychology Will Transform Your Relationships, Increase Your Influence, and Change Your LifeIn this episode you will learn:Why validation is the foundation of all human connection and may be even more important than love itselfThe "validation ladder" – an 8-step process therapists use to make others feel truly seen and heardHow mimicking someone's body language activates mirror neurons that help you genuinely understand their emotionsThe counterintuitive way to handle your difficult emotions – feeling them fully without the narrativeA step-by-step process for self-validation that can transform shame into peace in minutesFor more information go to https://www.lewishowes.com/1774For more Greatness text PODCAST to +1 (614) 350-3960More SOG episodes we think you'll love:Jerry Wise – greatness.lnk.to/1747SCKerry Washington  – greatness.lnk.to/1768SCEvy Poumpouras – greatness.lnk.to/1764SC Get more from Lewis! Get my New York Times Bestselling book, Make Money Easy!Get The Greatness Mindset audiobook on SpotifyText Lewis AIYouTubeInstagramWebsiteTiktokFacebookX

Do you know your blood type? Do you know why we have different blood types? This episode begins with some interesting intel about blood types, why you should know yours and why some people actually have no blood type. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20140715-why-do-we-have-blood-types You have probably heard about the value of validating someone else's feelings and experience. What you may not have heard is the science that proves just how powerful it is when you want to connect with someone or influence them. When done right, validation can transform a relationship according to my guest Caroline Fleck, PhD. She is a licensed psychologist, and Adjunct Clinical Instructor at Stanford University as well as the author of the book Validation: How the Skill Set That Revolutionized Psychology Will Transform Your Relationships, Increase Your Influence, and Change Your Life (https://amzn.to/3YgpzAK) Pronouns are some of the hardest working words in the English language. I, you, me, he, she, we, they – and yet the way these words behave in our language can sometimes be maddening. For example, the word “you” can mean 1 person or a group of people. In a lot of other languages, there are two different words. While English teachers will tell you that the correct way to say this is, “He and I went to the store” doesn't it feel more natural to say, “Him and me went to the store.”? Joining me to dive into the world of pronouns is John H. McWhorter. He teaches linguistics, American studies, and music history at Columbia University and is the host of the podcast Lexicon Valley (https://slate.com/podcasts/lexicon-valley). John is the author of twenty-three books including his latest, Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words (https://amzn.to/4iSauh1) What should go on a resume? People have lots of ideas of what to include and how to write it but what do hiring managers say they look for? Listen and hear what makes a great resume. https://www.entrepreneur.com/living/the-dos-and-donts-of-the-modern-resume-infographic/244399 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices