Time to Reset

Penny Zenker
  • 5.0 (142)
  • Management
  • Updated Weekly

In a world full of challenges, complexity, and distractions, Time to Reset is your guide to tackling any obstacle with clarity, focus, and a fresh perspective. Join your host, 2 times #1 best-selling author and international keynote speaker, Penny Zenker. Each episode offers actionable strategies, inspiring stories, and practical insights for time management tips, innovation strategies, leadership lessons, problem-solving, business growth, and more. Take this Time to Reset.

  1. 23h ago

    How to Prepare for Conversations without Sounding Scripted

    Scripts can help you prepare for a presentation, sales conversation, negotiation, or difficult conversation. But when you become too dependent on getting every word right, you can lose the one thing that matters most: connection. In this solo episode of Time to Reset Penny Zenker explores how to prepare for important conversations without sounding rehearsed or losing your ability to listen and respond in the moment. Penny breaks down why scripts should be used as a framework rather than something you have to follow word for word, how over-preparing can interfere with authentic communication, and why presence matters in leadership, sales, presentations, and difficult conversations. She also shares how to use AI as a role-play partner to practice conversations, anticipate objections, switch perspectives, and test how your message might be received before a high-stakes interaction. In this episode, you'll learn: How to prepare for difficult conversations without sounding scriptedWhy relying too heavily on a script can hurt connectionHow to stay present and listen during high-stakes conversationsHow leaders can prepare for objections and unexpected responsesHow to use AI to role-play conversations and improve communicationWhy your objective matters more than finding the perfect wordsPreparation gives you confidence. Presence gives you connection. The reset is knowing when you've prepared enough to let go of the script and engage with the person in front of you. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

    How to Prepare for Conversations without Sounding Scripted

  2. Aug 14

    Transforming Workplace Culture With The “Yes, And” Mindset With Avish Parashar

    What if the biggest threat to your team isn't resistance to change—it's apathy? In this episode of Time to Reset, Penny Zenker sits down with keynote speaker, improv expert, and bestselling author Avish Parashar to explore how the simple phrase "Yes, And" can transform leadership, communication, innovation, and workplace culture. Drawing lessons from the world of improv comedy, Avish reveals why the best leaders don't shut down ideas—they build on them. Together, Penny and Avish discuss how curiosity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence help leaders navigate uncertainty, inspire engagement, and create teams that are willing to think, contribute, and grow. Whether you're leading through AI disruption, organizational change, or simply trying to create a more engaged workplace, this conversation offers practical strategies you can apply immediately. In this episode you'll learn:  Why "Yes, And" is a powerful leadership mindsetHow leaders unintentionally create employee disengagementThe surprising connection between improv and business successHow curiosity builds trust and innovationWhy apathy—not resistance—is the biggest workplace challengePractical ways to increase creativity and collaborationHow to lead through uncertainty with confidence and flexibilityWhy asking better questions creates better teams If you're a leader, manager, entrepreneur, or anyone looking to improve communication, decision-making, and adaptability, this episode is packed with actionable insights.  📖 Learn more about Avish Parashar and his book "Say 'Yes, And!' to Change." Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

    Transforming Workplace Culture With The “Yes, And” Mindset With Avish Parashar

  3. Aug 7

    How Great Leaders Make People Feel Valued | Small Actions That Build Trust & Engagement

    How do great leaders make employees feel valued? What increases employee engagement without spending more money? How can leaders create stronger workplace culture through everyday interactions? In this episode of Time to Reset, productivity expert and leadership strategist Penny Zenker explores why the most memorable leaders aren't necessarily the loudest or the busiest. They're the ones who intentionally create moments that matter. Using a personal story about planning a milestone birthday celebration, Penny reveals how the same principles can transform team meetings, customer experiences, employee engagement, and even family relationships. The lesson is simple: meaningful leadership isn't built through grand gestures. It's built through consistent, thoughtful actions that help people feel seen, appreciated, and connected. In this episode you'll learn:How to make employees feel valued at workSimple leadership habits that increase employee engagementWhy meaningful workplace culture is built through small momentsWays to create more engaging meetings and stronger team connectionsHow thoughtful follow-up builds trust after employee surveysPractical leadership strategies to improve communication and retentionIf you're a leader, manager, business owner, or anyone looking to build stronger relationships at work and at home, this episode offers practical strategies you can implement immediately. Keywords: leadership, employee engagement, workplace culture, leadership communication, management skills, employee experience, leadership development, team engagement, company culture, trust in leadership, meaningful leadership, customer experience, workplace relationships, communication skills, productivity, Penny Zenker, Time to Reset Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

    How Great Leaders Make People Feel Valued | Small Actions That Build Trust & Engagement

  4. Jul 31

    The Future Of Human Capital: Moving Beyond Traditional Performance Reviews With Jacob Chase

    Most companies measure financial performance with precision—but struggle to measure the true value of their people. In this episode of Time to Reset, Penny Zenker sits down with entrepreneur and former Wall Street investment banker Jacob D. Chase, founder of The INFIN, to explore a new approach to measuring human capital, employee contribution, and organizational value. As AI transforms the workplace and top performers create exponentially more value, traditional performance reviews and compensation models are becoming outdated. Jacob explains why annual reviews often miss the employees making the biggest impact—and how organizations can use collective feedback to build a more accurate, fair, and motivating system. In this conversation you'll learn: Why traditional performance reviews failHow to measure employee contribution beyond job titlesThe connection between culture, performance, and business resultsHow AI is widening the gap between average and exceptional performersWhy crowdsourced feedback creates fairer compensation decisionsHow to identify hidden high performers before they leaveA new way to think about meritocracy, employee engagement, and leadership Whether you're a CEO, HR leader, manager, entrepreneur, or team leader, this conversation offers practical insights into creating a workplace where people are recognized for the value they actually create. If you're ready to rethink performance management, employee recognition, and modern leadership, this episode is for you. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

    The Future Of Human Capital: Moving Beyond Traditional Performance Reviews With Jacob Chase

  5. Jul 24

    AI Isn't Your Expert - It's Your Teammate

    AI can write, code, brainstorm, organize, and solve problems faster than ever—but that doesn't mean it's always right. In this solo episode of Time to Reset, Penny Zenker shares hard-earned lessons from building real AI-powered projects using Claude and ChatGPT. She explains why treating AI like a brilliant teammate—not an infallible expert—can dramatically improve your results while preventing costly mistakes. You'll learn: Why AI makes assumptions—even when you tell it not toHow long conversations can reduce the quality of AI responsesWhy documenting your project is essential for consistent resultsHow version control can save hours of frustrationThe importance of auditing AI instead of accepting confident answersWhen to use multiple AI tools for better outcomesHow a Reset Mindset helps you work smarter with artificial intelligence Whether you're using ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, or another large language model, these practical strategies will help you build better workflows, avoid hidden pitfalls, and collaborate with AI more effectively. In this episode: AI best practices, ChatGPT tips, Claude AI, prompt engineering, AI productivity, artificial intelligence, AI coding, version control, documentation, leadership, problem solving, decision making, and the Reset Mindset. If you've been experimenting with AI, we'd love to hear from you. What has worked well? What mistakes have you learned from? Share your experience in the comments so others can learn faster, too. #ArtificialIntelligence #ChatGPT #ClaudeAI #AIProductivity #Leadership #Productivity #PromptEngineering #BusinessAI #Innovation #TimeToReset Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

    AI Isn't Your Expert - It's Your Teammate

  6. Jul 17

    Helping a Functional Alcoholic: Strategic Ways To Influence Change With Amber Hollingsworth

    In this episode of Time to Reset, Penny Zenker sits down with addiction expert Amber Hollingsworth, founder of Put the Shovel Down, to discuss functional alcoholism, denial, and the communication strategies that actually help someone change.   Rather than relying on confrontation, blame, or emotional reactions, Amber explains why influence—not force—is the key to supporting someone struggling with alcohol addiction. Together, they explore how emotional intelligence, strategic communication, and understanding human psychology can create meaningful change in relationships, leadership, parenting, and recovery.   Whether you're supporting a spouse, family member, friend, or simply want to become a better communicator, this conversation offers practical insights that extend far beyond addiction.   In this episode you'll learn:   What functional alcoholism really looks likeWhy people stay in denial about alcohol addictionThe biggest mistakes families make when trying to helpHow empathy creates more influence than criticismWhy natural consequences are more effective than punishmentCommunication techniques that reduce defensivenessHow beliefs shape addictive behaviorsLeadership and parenting lessons that apply to every relationship  If you've ever wondered how to help someone with alcohol addiction—or how to influence positive change without creating resistance—this episode is for you.   Subscribe to Time to Reset for conversations that help you gain clarity, reset your mindset, and lead with greater intention. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

    Helping a Functional Alcoholic: Strategic Ways To Influence Change With Amber Hollingsworth

  7. Jul 10

    What Options Are You Missing? The Hidden Blind Spots Behind Better Decision Making

    Why do smart people make poor decisions? Often, it's not because they lack intelligence. It's because they're only seeing one version of the problem. In this solo episode of Time to Reset, Focusologist Penny Zenker explores how our experiences, assumptions, beliefs, and pressure shape what we notice—and what we completely miss. Through one powerful leadership exercise and practical coaching questions, you'll discover how expanding your perspective leads to better decisions, greater creativity, and stronger leadership. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why we often solve the wrong problem without realizing it • How assumptions quietly limit your choices • Simple questions that expand perspective and improve decision making • Why great leaders create better answers instead of providing all the answers • How intentional reset moments help you think more clearly under pressure If you've ever felt stuck between two choices, overwhelmed by a decision, or frustrated that every solution seems incomplete, this episode will help you uncover the options you didn't know you had. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

    What Options Are You Missing? The Hidden Blind Spots Behind Better Decision Making

  8. Jul 3

    Breakthrough Leadership: The 3 Controllables You Need to Master With Brian Biro

    What separates breakthrough leaders from everyone else? In this episode of the Time to Reset Podcast, Penny Zenker sits down with renowned leadership expert and motivational speaker Brian Biro, known as America's Breakthrough Speaker, to explore the mindset shifts that create extraordinary results in leadership, business, and life. Brian shares his powerful framework for controlling the controllables, revealing the three essential elements of breakthrough leadership: ✅ Vision: Focus on what you want to create, not what you fear ✅ Energy: How purpose, movement, and gratitude fuel performance ✅ Presence: The leadership skill that builds trust, connection, and impact Together, Penny and Brian discuss why so many people operate on autopilot, how technology and AI can increase distraction, and why being fully present may be the most valuable leadership advantage in today's world. Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, manager, coach, or anyone seeking personal growth, this conversation offers practical tools to improve focus, strengthen relationships, increase engagement, and create meaningful breakthroughs. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: What breakthrough leadership really meansThe power of controlling your controllablesWhy focus determines your futureHow to create and sustain high energyThe connection between gratitude and purposeHow presence builds trust and influenceThe hidden cost of distraction and autopilot thinkingLeadership lessons for the AI era Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

    Breakthrough Leadership: The 3 Controllables You Need to Master With Brian Biro
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5
out of 5
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About

In a world full of challenges, complexity, and distractions, Time to Reset is your guide to tackling any obstacle with clarity, focus, and a fresh perspective. Join your host, 2 times #1 best-selling author and international keynote speaker, Penny Zenker. Each episode offers actionable strategies, inspiring stories, and practical insights for time management tips, innovation strategies, leadership lessons, problem-solving, business growth, and more. Take this Time to Reset.

Information

  • Creator
    Penny Zenker
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    381
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2018-2026 – Penny Zenker | Tug of War with Time Podcast | Smart Moves Coaching, LLC – All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Time to Reset

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