My Circus, My Monkeys

Anne Brackett

My Circus, My Monkeys supports supervisors on every level working in education or any field focused on growth and development. Discover how to manage the chaos by learning essential supervisor skills, increasing employee engagement, and using the CliftonStrengths framework to empower you and your team. We’ll dive into the latest research in fields like psychology, sociology, neuroscience, education, and beyond to help you maximize yourself and your team to make an even bigger impact on your students and clients lives. Just as importantly, you’ll improve your own sense of well being as you decrease the chaos and stress and increase the balance in your life.

  1. 11 FEB

    Are You in a Rut? Let’s Find Out...

    In this episode, we discuss how to identify and escape from ruts, which are patterns that no longer serve us effectively. I use the example of Sally, an employee who continues to perform a task incorrectly despite understanding the correct way, to illustrate how our conscious mind understands a change but our subconscious mind continues the old pattern due to deeply ingrained habits. Ruts are not necessarily about boredom but rather about ineffective patterns that can be challenging to break because our subconscious mind views these patterns as vital for our survival. You'll learn the importance of making small, consistent changes to create new pathways in your brain and gradually shift your identity to align with your desired behaviors. Listen and you'll be better able to identify your own ruts, outline new habits to replace them, and how to be patient and persistent in making these changes. If you’re listening to this podcast, you take your role as a leader seriously. You want to be more effective. You want to lead your team to greater success. And you probably want less stress. This podcast has great information and tips to get you started. But if you’re ready for the next step – one that will give you the guidance and structure to take you to the next level of success – Strengths University has you covered. Strengths University offers a variety of team services, including in-person and virtual workshops and a group coaching series. We can absolutely discuss Strengths, but we also have a variety of other topics that will give you and your folks the knowledge and support you need to be more productive and even more importantly increase your sense of wellbeing. Have questions? Email Anne at anne@strengthsuniversity.org or set up a meeting with her HERE. Want more information about Strengths University? Check out our website at https://www.strengthsuniversity.org/

    22 min
  2. 28 JAN

    How to Get Better Outcomes with 80% Less Effort

    You know too much stress decreases your productivity and your ability to effectively solve problems. Yes, you can focus on stress management to help curb its effect, but what do you do about all the things on your plate? Afterall, it's that increased workload that's contributing to your stress problem. In this episode, you'll learn about a tool that can help you better prioritize, achieve goals, manage your energy, and focus on the right habits, so you can use up to 80% less effort to get even better outcomes.  If you’re listening to this podcast, you take your role as a leader seriously. You want to be more effective. You want to lead your team to greater success. And you probably want less stress. This podcast has great information and tips to get you started. But if you’re ready for the next step – one that will give you the guidance and structure to take you to the next level of success – Strengths University has you covered. Strengths University offers a variety of team services, including in-person and virtual workshops and a group coaching series. We can absolutely discuss Strengths, but we also have a variety of other topics that will give you and your folks the knowledge and support you need to be more productive and even more importantly increase your sense of wellbeing. Have questions? Email Anne at anne@strengthsuniversity.org or set up a meeting with her HERE. Want more information about Strengths University? Check out our website at https://www.strengthsuniversity.org/

    32 min
  3. 17/12/2025

    A Quick Year End Wrap Up in 3, 2, 1

    As we wrap up 2025, it’s a good idea to take the time to reflect on the year. And if you’re already thinking, nope! I have neither the time nor energy for such pursuits, just hold on to your horses. I’m going to make this as quick and painless for you as possible. The benefit of doing this is a better 2026. The cost of skipping it means 2026 might just be a rerun of 2025. And I don’t think anyone can afford that, so be sure to check out this episode.  If you’re listening to this podcast, you take your role as a leader seriously. You want to be more effective. You want to lead your team to greater success. And you probably want less stress. This podcast has great information and tips to get you started. But if you’re ready for the next step – one that will give you the guidance and structure to take you to the next level of success – Strengths University has you covered. Strengths University offers a variety of team services, including in-person and virtual workshops and a group coaching series. We can absolutely discuss Strengths, but we also have a variety of other topics that will give you and your folks the knowledge and support you need to be more productive and even more importantly increase your sense of wellbeing. Have questions? Email Anne at anne@strengthsuniversity.org or set up a meeting with her HERE. Want more information about Strengths University? Check out our website at https://www.strengthsuniversity.org/

    8 min
  4. 03/12/2025

    'Tis the Season for Creating Boundaries

    It’s a stressful time of year. If you’re in Higher Ed, you’re wrapping up the fall term and planning for the spring. Plus, you’re smack dab in the middle of the holiday season. That's a ton of expectations and stress for you and your team, so it's perhaps the perfect season to discuss boundaries. In this episode, you'll learn the difference between boundaries and rules. And you'll discover how you can set both around your unique Talent Themes. If you’d like to be more productive and less stressed during the end of the year, you'll want to check out this episode.    If you’re listening to this podcast, you take your role as a leader seriously. You want to be more effective. You want to lead your team to greater success. And you probably want less stress. This podcast has great information and tips to get you started. But if you’re ready for the next step – one that will give you the guidance and structure to take you to the next level of success – Strengths University has you covered. Strengths University offers a variety of team services, including in-person and virtual workshops and a group coaching series. We can absolutely discuss Strengths, but we also have a variety of other topics that will give you and your folks the knowledge and support you need to be more productive and even more importantly increase your sense of wellbeing. Have questions? Email Anne at anne@strengthsuniversity.org or set up a meeting with her HERE. Want more information about Strengths University? Check out our website at https://www.strengthsuniversity.org/

    32 min

About

My Circus, My Monkeys supports supervisors on every level working in education or any field focused on growth and development. Discover how to manage the chaos by learning essential supervisor skills, increasing employee engagement, and using the CliftonStrengths framework to empower you and your team. We’ll dive into the latest research in fields like psychology, sociology, neuroscience, education, and beyond to help you maximize yourself and your team to make an even bigger impact on your students and clients lives. Just as importantly, you’ll improve your own sense of well being as you decrease the chaos and stress and increase the balance in your life.