25 episodes

The Leading Below the Surface Podcast is a leadership development podcast based on the book "Leading Below the Surface: How to Build Real (and Psychologically Safe) Relationships with People who Are Different from You" by LaTonya WIlkins, produced by Change Coaches. In this podcast, LaTonya goes beyond the book to provide perspective and tips to apply REAL leadership, empathy, and psychological safety into our daily lives so we can continue to improve relationships across differences.

To learn more about Change Coaches, visit changecoaches.io

The Leading Below the Surface Podcast with LaTonya Wilkins LaTonya Wilkins

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 4 Ratings

The Leading Below the Surface Podcast is a leadership development podcast based on the book "Leading Below the Surface: How to Build Real (and Psychologically Safe) Relationships with People who Are Different from You" by LaTonya WIlkins, produced by Change Coaches. In this podcast, LaTonya goes beyond the book to provide perspective and tips to apply REAL leadership, empathy, and psychological safety into our daily lives so we can continue to improve relationships across differences.

To learn more about Change Coaches, visit changecoaches.io

    My Mental Health Story and a Three Step Process to Create More Wellness in the Workplace

    My Mental Health Story and a Three Step Process to Create More Wellness in the Workplace

    In this candid episode, LaTonya Wilkins, founder of Change Coaches and author of Leading Below the Surface, shares her personal mental health journey and a three-step process to increase mental health in the workplace. Through vulnerable storytelling, she explores significant tramas she has faced in life, and describes how she navigated these experiences through mental health awareness, healing, and expansion. She also discusses how people can reflect on her experiences, encourage storytelling, and apply the three-step process to create more mental health in the workplace.



    Tips from Today's Episode:

    -Create Awareness: Create safe spaces for employees to share their personal stories and experiences related to mental health. This fosters empathy, awareness, and connectedness within the organization.

    -Establish Healing Circles: Implement structured or informal "healing circles" where employees can express their fears, concerns, or challenges. This can create a sense of community within your organization.

    -Foster Acceptance and Expansion: Embrace the idea of "expansion" or exploring possibilities for growth and personal development.





    Resources from today's episode:

    -Change Coaches Guide to Create Psychological Safe Conversations Across Differences

    -How to Support Employees During Times of Distress





    Connect with us: 

    Email us at info@changecoaches.io

    Learn more about Change Coaches 

    Follow LaTonya on LinkedIn 

    Follow Change Coaches on LinkedIn 

    For More on the Book Leading Below the Surface

    • 28 min
    How to have Psychologically Safe Conversations about Difficult Topics (Part 2)

    How to have Psychologically Safe Conversations about Difficult Topics (Part 2)

    In this episode of The Leading Below the Surface Podcast, we're diving deep into the concept of psychological safety. Host, LaTonya Wilkins, is joined by an extraordinary guest, Elisa Glick. Dr. Elisa Glick is a DEIB practitioner and thought leader who is passionate about building cultures where everyone can thrive. An award-winning educator and author, Dr. Glick is the first openly gay faculty member specializing in queer studies to be tenured at the University of Missouri, where she is Associate Professor Emerita.

    Join us as Elisa Glick shares her insights on leveraging vulnerability, active listening, and boundary-setting to champion psychological safety and inclusion in any setting. Discover how to lead courageously and create spaces where difficult conversations can lead to meaningful change.



    Tips from Today's Episode:

    -Embrace vulnerability: Sharing personal stories and challenges can humanize leaders, making it easier for others to open up.

    -Listen actively: Prioritize understanding over responding, and approach conversations with the intent to learn.

    -Set clear boundaries: Establish and communicate the rules of engagement to ensure respectful and productive discussions.



    Resources from today's episode:

    -elisaglick.com

    -Elisa’s LinkedIn

    -Change Coaches Guide to Create Psychological Safe Conversations Across Differences

    Connect with us: 

    Email us at info@changecoaches.io

    Learn more about Change Coaches 

    Follow LaTonya on LinkedIn 

    Follow Change Coaches on LinkedIn For More on the Book Leading Below the Surface

    • 41 min
    How to have Psychologically Safe Conversations about Difficult Topics (Part 1)

    How to have Psychologically Safe Conversations about Difficult Topics (Part 1)

    LaTonya Wilkins, a renowned executive coach and the host of the Leading Below the Surface podcast, takes us on a deep-dive exploration of psychological safety in the workplace. With a rich background in fostering inclusive environments and her expertise as an executive coach, LaTonya shares invaluable insights on creating spaces where everyone feels safe to express themselves. In this solo episode, she focuses on the foundational aspects of psychological safety, emphasizing its critical role in facilitating open, honest, and productive conversations across differences.



    Tips from Today's Episode:

    -Understand what psychological safety and belonging truly mean and why they are critical for effective communication.

    -Assess personal and collective levels of psychological safety before engaging in potentially challenging conversations.

    -Learn and apply techniques to create a safe environment that encourages candid dialogue without fear of retribution or humiliation.

    -Develop a concrete action plan to approach conversations with intentionality, ensuring that all parties feel valued, heard, and respected.



    Resources from today's episode:

    -Change Coaches Guide to Create Psychological Safe Conversations Across Differences



    Connect with us: 

    Email us at info@changecoaches.io

    Learn more about Change Coaches 

    Follow LaTonya on LinkedIn 

    Follow Change Coaches on LinkedIn 

    For More on the Book Leading Below the Surface

    • 25 min
    Supporting the Trans Community Below the Surface

    Supporting the Trans Community Below the Surface

    Host LaTonya Wilkins welcomes special guest, Rhodes Perry, a celebrated author and influential community builder to the podcast. Rhodes has made significant strides in fostering inclusive environments both in and out of the workplace. With a rich background that includes working in the White House and the Department of Justice, Rhodes has been featured in numerous publications for his groundbreaking work. His best-selling books, "Belonging at Work" and "Imagine Belonging," alongside his creation of the Belonging Circle, showcase his commitment to building communities where everyone feels they belong. In this episode of The Leading Below the Surface Podcast, we sit down with Rhodes to discuss the importance of visibility and inclusion for transgender individuals in the workplace and beyond.



    Tips from Today's Episode:

    -Encourage Exposure and Education: Increase your exposure to transgender communities and educate yourself and your team on transgender experiences and challenges. Utilize resources like the 2022 US Trans Survey to dispel myths and understand the realities of transgender lives.

    -Challenge Misinformation: Actively challenge misinformation when you encounter it. Simple questions like "Where did you hear that?" can prompt reflection and encourage more accurate understanding and discussions.

    -Reflect on Personal Gender Experiences: Encourage your team to reflect on their own experiences with gender and how societal expectations have impacted them. This can foster empathy and a deeper understanding of the need for gender inclusivity and expression freedom.



    Resources from today's episode:

    -Link 2022 US Trans Survey

    -Link to "Belonging at Work" the book

    -rhodesperry.com



    Connect with us: 

    Email us at info@changecoaches.io

    Learn more about Change Coaches 

    Follow LaTonya on LinkedIn 

    Follow Change Coaches on LinkedIn For More on the Book Leading Below the Surface

    • 40 min
    Exploring What’s Holding Women Back in the Workplace

    Exploring What’s Holding Women Back in the Workplace

    Ellen Taaffe, a former Fortune 50 senior executive turned board director, professor, leadership coach, and author, joins host, LaTonya Wilkins, on The Leading Below the Surface Podcast. Beyond her corporate achievements, Ellen's impactful work as an author, particularly with her book "The Mirrored Door: Break Through the Hidden Barrier that Locks Successful Women in Place," is a vital resource for women navigating the complexities of the workplace. In this conversation, LaTonya and Ellen dissect the challenges and strategies for women's advancement in the workplace. Specifically, they cover the concept of “The Mirrored Door”, how leaders can support women, as well as five tips to propel women forward.



    Tips from Today's Episode:

    -How to encourage women to raise their hands for new opportunities before they feel completely “ready.”

    -How to help women see the potential that they have.

    -Effective ways to deliver feedback – especially to women.



    Resources from today's episode:

    https://ellentaaffe.com/

    Ellen's LinkedIn 

    The Mirrored Door Workbook



    Connect with us: 

    Email us at info@changecoaches.io

    Learn more about Change Coaches 

    Follow LaTonya on LinkedIn 

    Follow Change Coaches on LinkedIn 

    For More on the Book Leading Below the Surface

    • 38 min
    Reparations: What they are and how to talk about them

    Reparations: What they are and how to talk about them

    Erin Corine Johnson (also known as The Identity & Belonging Coach) an award-winning artist, creative founder, and international community organizer, joins LaTonya Wilkins this Black History Month on the Leading Below the Surface podcast. In their conversation, LaTonya and Erin explore reparations. In addition to discussing what reparations are, they discuss common misconceptions, and how to overcome these both individually and within organizations. They end with an actionable framework that can be applied in our everyday lives. 

    Tips from Today's Episode:
    -There are things that you may already be doing to support a reparations mindset.
    -You don’t have to be a large organization to make a difference.
    - How to apply a reparations mindset in everyday life.

    Resources from today's episode:
    -Erin’s LinkedIn
    -holamagnolia.com
    -https://ko-fi.com/holamagnolia

    Connect with us: 
    Email us at info@changecoaches.io
    Learn more about Change Coaches 
    Follow LaTonya on LinkedIn 
    Follow Change Coaches on LinkedIn 
    For More on the Book Leading Below the Surface

    • 32 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
4 Ratings

4 Ratings

87666188 ,

Awesome Podcast!

Great book, great interviewer, and great guests! LaTonya and her team are top notch and everyone should listen to this who wants to be an effective, engaged and empowered leader - as well as those who want to learn how to connect in positive ways with those who are different than them!!!

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