Your Future Realized

Laura Malinowski

A trusted advisor for hundreds of leaders, Laura brings her years of experience as an operations executive and change management strategist to the microphone. She launched Your Future Realized podcast to help other ops execs gain the self-awareness and confidence to build relationships and make a bigger impact.  

  1. 95: How to Lead Operations When You Don’t Have All the Answers

    HÁ 4 DIAS

    95: How to Lead Operations When You Don’t Have All the Answers

    Find the full transcript for this episode at yourfuturerealized.com/95. I’m looking at a little photo of a bluebird on my bulletin board, with a saying that’s stuck with me. It goes, “A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because her trust is not in the branch but in her own wings.” I printed this out years ago during a messy company reorg. Folks kept coming to me, looking for some breathing space, a shoulder, or just a laugh. That bird became a constant reminder:  No matter what’s going on around you, you’ve got wings. Focus on building those. In this episode, I’ll talk about what to do when things feel shaky, when your team’s anxious and nobody’s sure what’s next. I’ll share one simple thing you can try to help your team feel a little steadier, even when everything’s up in the air.

    6min
  2. 94: Should Operations Executives Trust Their Gut?

    20 DE AGO.

    94: Should Operations Executives Trust Their Gut?

    Find the full transcript for this episode at yourfuturerealized.com/94. How often do you find yourself in a meeting, the conversation swirling, and suddenly everyone’s looking to you for the answer? You know that moment when you are expected to cut through the noise and make a call fast. And past all the data, there’s an inner voice nudging you. What do you do? Do you go with the numbers, or do you trust that gut feeling you can’t quite put your finger on? You don’t always need all the answers to make a good decision. Sometimes, you need to just hit pause, check in on what you know, and trust your own judgment. Imagine feeling just a bit more confident, right when you need it most, in those high-pressure moments? In this episode, you’ll get a practical way to bring intuition into your decision-making, without tossing out the data.

    6min
  3. 93: 1 Simple Practice Every Ops Exec Needs to Take Back Their Day

    13 DE AGO.

    93: 1 Simple Practice Every Ops Exec Needs to Take Back Their Day

    Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/93. You know that feeling when you log on in the morning, and before you’ve even had your first sip of coffee, the Slack pings start rolling in? Then the emails, the DMs… It’s like a digital avalanche.  I recently spoke with someone with over 2800 unread emails in her inbox. Two thousand, eight hundred! It’s almost funny, except it’s not. And that’s what so many leaders are up against.  Hours wading through notifications, before you’ve even glanced at your priorities. Soon, the day feels like it’s running you, instead of the other way around. In this episode, you’ll get a simple way to carve out time for what really matters, even when everything feels urgent and you’re being pulled in a hundred directions. Time to make space for what counts, and maybe, just maybe, finish your coffee while it’s still warm.

    6min
  4. 92: Navigating the Messy Middle and the Human Side of Operations, with COO Josh Renicker

    6 DE AGO.

    92: Navigating the Messy Middle and the Human Side of Operations, with COO Josh Renicker

    Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/92. "I don't have the answers... I'm the guy that asks more questions."  That's Josh Renicker, COO of Energy Access. It's a refreshing take from someone at the top, isn't it? Josh climbed the ladder from midnight shifts to the executive boardroom, working full time while earning multiple degrees, and keeping his boots-on-the-ground perspective all along the way.  Recently we talked about the realities of leading operations, how messy and unpredictable it can be, and everything from navigating the AI revolution to maintaining the human touch in leadership.  This conversation is a goldmine for anyone in ops, whether you're aiming for the C-suite or you’re already there. You’ll hear honest conversation about what it really takes to lead operations and practical advice from a leader who's been in the messy trenches for a long time.

    32min
  5. 91: The Most Dangerous Habit in Operations Leadership

    30 DE JUL.

    91: The Most Dangerous Habit in Operations Leadership

    Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/91. Ever been the only lifeguard at a packed pool? You’re perched up high, scanning every corner, whistle ready, always on alert.  At first, it’s fun. But after a while, you realize you’re just stuck. You can’t be everywhere and jump in every time something happens. And if you try, you just wear yourself out. And honestly, something still going to slip through the cracks. Leading operations can feel exactly like that: Always on edge, always ready to dive in. But here’s the thing: nobody wants someone watching over their shoulder like that all the time. People need room to try things out and even mess up a little to find their own way. In this episode, I’m talking about the most dangerous habit in ops leadership: over-responsibility, and how to finally let your team take a shift in the chair.

    6min
  6. 90: 1 Simple Way to Make Your Value Visible in Operations

    23 DE JUL.

    90: 1 Simple Way to Make Your Value Visible in Operations

    Find the full transcript at: yourfuturerealized.com/90. Have you heard this old joke?: “What do you call someone who hangs out with musicians? A drummer.”  It always gets a chuckle, but anyone who’s ever been in a band knows the truth: The drummer is the backbone. Without them, the whole thing falls apart. They keep everyone in sync, set the pace, and hold it all together, even though they’re not out front with the mic.  Just stop and think about that. It’s true, isn’t it? That’s operations in a nutshell. You might not be chasing the spotlight, but it’s important to be recognized where it matters: in your authority, your influence, and your next opportunity. In this episode, you’ll learn practical ways to make sure people notice the value you bring to the band, without feeling like you’re showing off or demanding a solo.

    6min
  7. 89: A Guide to Accountability Conversations for Ops Leaders

    16 DE JUL.

    89: A Guide to Accountability Conversations for Ops Leaders

    Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/89. “Ugh, I know I need to have this conversation. But I don’t want to sound harsh or make them defensive.” If your ops team is dropping the ball, that probably hits close to home. Accountability talks can be tough. They’re easy to put off because they’re just plain uncomfortable. But here’s the thing: when you handle them the right way, these conversations don’t just solve problems, they build trust and show your team what real leadership looks like. Let’s be honest, accountability is the glue that keeps operations running. When someone drops the ball, it doesn’t just affect one person. It can throw off the whole team. In this episode, I’ll share how to tackle those tough talks head-on: no tiptoeing, no drama, and no losing your team’s respect. If you’re dreading holding someone accountable, you’re not alone, and this episode is for you.

    6min
  8. 88: Ops Leaders, Are You Ready to Lead Through the Chaos?

    9 DE JUL.

    88: Ops Leaders, Are You Ready to Lead Through the Chaos?

    Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/88. Some days it feels like you’re spinning plates on a windy day, and everyone’s counting on you to keep things from crashing. Whether your job title says “operations” or you’re just the person who quietly keeps the ship running, you know what it’s like to juggle all the moving parts, shifting priorities, and constant surprises.  If you’ve ever wondered how to stay steady when everything around you is shifting, you’re in the right place.  I’ve spent years coaching operations executives and other steady-hands-in-the-storm, people who are great at keeping things moving, even when the wind picks up.  Good news is: There are practical ways to get a little steadier, make decisions with more confidence, and build trust with your team, even when things are messy. Stick around, because I’ve got something special to share that might just make your week.

    6min
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Sobre

A trusted advisor for hundreds of leaders, Laura brings her years of experience as an operations executive and change management strategist to the microphone. She launched Your Future Realized podcast to help other ops execs gain the self-awareness and confidence to build relationships and make a bigger impact.  

Informações

  • Criado por
    Laura Malinowski
  • Anos de atividade
    2023 - 2025
  • Episódios
    96
  • Classificação
    Livre
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Your Future Realized
  • Site do podcast
    Your Future Realized