Practical Leadership Podcast Practical Leadership Academy

Today I'm joined by Monique Carayol, a leadership coach and consultant, who will be discussing the concept of being a brave leader.
Monique starts off by explaining that being a brave leader goes beyond just being fearless. It means practicing authentic, compassionate, and inclusive leadership. Her vision is to create a global movement of brave leaders who empower others to reach their full potential.
One of the key points Monique highlights is the importance of teaching and supporting leaders on their journey. She believes that by challenging negative thoughts and intentionally catastrophising, leaders can overcome their fears and become more courageous in their decision-making.
Monique shares a powerful tool that she uses with her clients - asking the question, "Is it true?" This simple question helps challenge false beliefs and allows leaders to see situations from a different perspective. By questioning the validity of their thoughts, leaders can make more informed and rational decisions.
Understanding the emotions and thoughts of team members is another crucial aspect of being a brave leader. Monique emphasises the value of active listening and creating a safe space for open communication. By truly understanding their team members, leaders can build trust and foster a positive work environment.
Seeking advice from senior leaders is another valuable tip she shares. Monique believes that learning from those who have already walked the path of leadership can provide valuable insights and guidance. By seeking advice and mentorship, leaders can continue to grow and develop their own leadership skills.
If you want to connect with Monique and learn more about her work, you can find her on LinkedIn. She is also a co-founder of the Bravery in the Boardroom movement, which aims to inspire and empower leaders to be brave in their decision-making.
Your New Avenue - https://www.yournewavenue.com/
LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/in/monique-carayol
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/moniquecarayol
Bravery in the Boardroom - http://www.braveryintheboardroom.com/
Bravery in the Boardroom - Bravery in the Boardroom: Overview | LinkedIn
Bravery in the Boardroom - Bravery in the Boardroom (@BraveryITB) / Twitter
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Building a Movement of Brave Leaders [00:01:01] Monique Carrillo discusses the importance of brave leadership and building a global movement of brave leaders.
Teaching and Supporting Others [00:02:49] Paul and Monique emphasize the role of teaching and supporting others as a way to learn and build a movement of brave leaders.
Dealing with Fear and Doubts [00:07:41] Monique shares strategies for dealing with fear and doubts, including visualizing worst-case scenarios, seeking support, and chunking down challenges.
The power of catastrophizing [00:10:35] Discusses how humans tend to catastrophize situations and make irrational decisions based on false assumptions.
Challenging negative thoughts [00:11:27] Explains the importance of questioning the validity of negative thoughts and not letting them hold you back.
Understanding and connecting with others [00:14:14] Highlights the significance of genuinely asking people how they are feeling and actively listening to understand their perspective in leadership.
Asking for Advice [00:20:51] The speaker discusses the importance of seeking advice from managers and seniors when stepping up to the next level in their career.
The Power of Listening [00:21:22] The speaker emphasizes the value of listening and understanding in a new leadership role, rather than jumping to prove oneself.
Recommended Books [00:22:44] The speaker recommends two books, "Spike" by Renee Carrillo and "The Promise of Giants" by John Amaechi, which provide practical advice on effective leadership based on strengths.

In this great episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Nelson, the brilliant CEO and co-founder of How Now. As we delved into his  journey as an entrepreneur, I couldn't help but be inspired by his unwavering determination and passion for creating something extraordinary.
Nelson talks about the significance of finding the perfect individuals who share the same vision and values when it comes to building a business. Drawing parallels between the art of filmmaking and the process of entrepreneurship, he shed light on the power of storytelling and how it can ignite a fire within individuals, propelling them to execute the grand vision.
One aspect that truly resonated with me was Nelson's approach to managing people and cultivating a thriving team. He stressed the importance of setting clear expectations, creating an environment that fosters success, and nurturing a sense of collective effort. It became evident that Nelson's leadership style revolves around empowering his team members, allowing them to flourish and contribute their unique talents to the overall success of the organization.
Furthermore, Nelson enlightened us on the significance of delivering relevant and accessible learning experiences within the workplace. He passionately discussed the utilization of AI technology to personalize learning and track skill development, ensuring that each individual's growth is nurtured and supported. It was refreshing to hear his advocacy for a shift towards an outcome-centric mindset, where incentives are aligned with desired results, ultimately driving the organization towards greater success.
https://www.gethownow.com/team-hownow
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelsonsivalingam/ 

In this podcast episode, I had the opportunity to interview Tajan Renderos, a remarkable leadership development coach, author, and trainer. Tajan shared her journey with me, shedding light on her path to becoming a coach and delving into her specialization in leadership development. It was fascinating to hear about the challenges she faced when transitioning from an individual contributor to a people manager, and how she overcame them. One particular topic that resonated with me was her advice on conquering imposter syndrome, which I found valuable.
Towards the end of our interview, Tajan expressed gratitude to her younger self for having the confidence to pursue her interests and embark on this incredible journey. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of self-belief and taking risks in order to achieve our goals.
For those who are interested in connecting with Tajan, she can be found on LinkedIn, where she regularly shares valuable content. Additionally, her website is a treasure trove of resources and insights that can benefit anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills.
See her recent TEDx talk here.
www.tajanrenderos.com
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*The journey to becoming a coach [00:00:57]* Tajan Braithwaite Renderos discusses how she discovered her passion for coaching and the process of formalizing her training.
*Transitioning to people management [00:03:34]*Tajan shares her experience of moving from an individual contributor to a people manager in a public health consulting company.
*Addressing imposter syndrome [00:05:20]*Tajan explains the common struggle of imposter syndrome among first-time managers and provides mechanisms to challenge self-doubt and build confidence.
*The Imposter Phenomenon and Tough Conversations [00:11:07]*Discussion on the imposter phenomenon and the importance of developing skills for having tough conversations.

In this podcast episode, I had the pleasure of welcoming Helen Marshall, Chief Learning Officer at Thrive Learning and thought leader in the learning and development industry. Helen shared her journey to becoming a people leader, highlighting the role that joy plays in effective leadership. Her insights on professional and personal development were insightful, urging people to harness their strengths and actively seek mentorship.
During our chat, we delved into the unique challenges that women often encounter when it comes to embracing their expertise and conquering imposter syndrome. Helen and I both shared personal stories of our own experiences as managers, learning valuable lessons from our mistakes along the way. It was a reminder that growth and development are forever - and that even the most seasoned, well matured, (insert other euphamism for 'old') leaders have room to learn and improve.
One of the key takeaways from our discussion was the significance of building connections and fostering a sense of community. Helen emphasized the transformative power of human connection, both in the workplace and in our personal lives. By cultivating meaningful relationships and creating a supportive environment, we can truly thrive and bring out the best in ourselves and those around us.
Overall Helen's wisdom and expertise in the learning and development industry provided a fresh perspective on leadership and personal growth. 
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The journey to becoming a people leader [00:02:23]Helen discusses her natural affinity for leadership and how she always aimed to manage a team.
Developing yourself by leaning into your skills [00:05:50]Helen advises individuals to focus on strengthening their strengths and seeking mentorship or coaching to identify and verify their skills.
The importance of external perspective [00:09:34]Helen emphasizes the value of having a coach or mentor who can provide an outside perspective and help identify blind spots and strengths.
The Bad Taste of Self-Promotion [00:10:52]Discussion on the historical perception of self-promotion and the gender differences in how it is perceived.
Learning from Mistakes in Giving Feedback [00:13:14]Speaker shares a personal experience of giving feedback in the wrong way and the lessons learned from it.
Women In: Creating a Community [00:18:37]Introduction to the Women In platform, its purpose of connecting women in various sectors, and the growth of its community through a WhatsApp group.
The Transition from Teaching to Freelancing [00:20:45]Discusses the increasing number of teachers transitioning to freelancing due to challenges in education.
The Power of Human Connection [00:21:44]Highlights the importance of building real human connections and the impact it can have on individuals.
Recommendation: The Resilience Handbook [00:23:46]Mentions a book called "The Resilience Handbook" and expresses excitement about reading it again.

In the latest episode of the Practical Leadership Podcast I had the pleasure of interviewing Garin Hess, the founder and CEO of Consensus.
Garin shared some profound insights during our conversation. One of the standout moments was when he quoted, "Too many men tiptoe through life trying to make it safely to death. I do not want to do that. I am grateful, regardless of how it turned out, that I was willing to take those risks."
It's a good approach to life and leadership, a bit of risk-taking and pushing boundaries.
Garin also reflected on his early leadership experiences, saying, "I used to be very self-conscious and afraid of leadership, and yet I was constantly being put in leadership positions. I eventually learned that for me, at least, what made the most sense was to stop thinking about and trying to improve on the deficiencies and just focus on my strengths."
It's a powerful reminder for all leaders to focus on their strengths and those of your team rather than obsessing over their weaknesses.
Finally, Garin shared a thought-provoking perspective on the role of a leader. He said, "You have to be willing to be looked at as a jerk, even though you're not trying to be. You don't want to act like one. But some people will think you are just because you're asking them to do hard things they don't want to do. And that's not being a jerk. That's being a leader."
It's sometimes challenging but necessary in the role of a leader in pushing your team towards growth and success.
 
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 *Self-awareness and focusing on strengths [00:01:21]*Garin Hess discusses his journey of self-awareness and the importance of focusing on strengths rather than obsessing over deficiencies.
*Toxic deficiencies and the impact on leadership [00:03:26]*The conversation explores the concept of toxic deficiencies in leaders and how they can both hinder and contribute to success.
*The difference between being nice and being good [00:05:29]*The discussion delves into the idea that being nice is not necessarily synonymous with being a good leader, and the potential drawbacks of prioritizing likability over achieving the mission.
*The importance of joy in work [00:10:09]*Discussion on the difference between fun and joy in the workplace, and the quest for growth and challenges.
*The consequences of not letting go [00:12:09]*The speaker shares a personal experience of waiting too long to let go of an underperforming employee and the negative impact it had on the team.
*Maximizing strengths over weaknesses [00:15:03]*The importance of focusing on strengths and maximizing them, rather than trying to improve weaknesses, using the example of Michael Jordan's basketball skills.
*The importance of taking risks [00:21:03]*Garin reflects on the quote that inspired him to take risks in life and how it changed the course of his career.
*Regret minimization framework [00:21:43]*The concept of minimizing regrets by looking back from a future perspective and making choices to live our best lives.
*Imagining our death to reduce regret [00:23:14]*Garin discusses the idea of imagining our death as a way to appreciate and safeguard the things we have in life, preventing future regrets.

Barry Foster, an expert in leadership, technology, and the future of work, discusses various topics in this podcast episode.
He addresses the changing landscape of work due to technology advancements and emphasises the importance of reskilling and upskilling to adapt to the evolving demands of the workforce. Barry also talks about the impact of COVID-19 on the workplace and the need for organisations to embrace digital and hybrid working.
He emphasises the role of emotions in decision-making and criticises the lack of emotional empathy in organisations. Barry encourages continuous learning and challenges the notion that only young people can learn and innovate.
He concludes by discussing the value of non-traditional career paths, the joy of reading, and the importance of recognising the potential of individuals of all ages.
TIMESTAMPS
The Fear Mongering of Consultants and Media [00:07:01]Discussion on how consultants and media provoke fear about the future of work to continue their careers and generate attention.
The Speed of Change and Impact on Jobs [00:07:52]Exploration of the rapid pace of technological change and its potential impact on various industries and job roles.
Rediscovering Wisdom in the Knowledge Age [00:10:18]Consideration of the opportunity to gain wisdom and insight in the face of technological advancements and the potential for new careers and industries.
The importance of emotional decision-making [00:11:23]Discussion on how humans make decisions based on emotions rather than rationality, and the role of technology in understanding this.
Rationalization and lack of empathy in organizations [00:12:33]Exploration of why modern organizations have moved away from recognizing and addressing the irrationality of human behavior, and the impact of efficiency and lack of emotional connection.
The need for continuous learning and resilience [00:16:44]Importance of individuals continuously learning and adapting to fast-changing times, and the role of governments and organizations in facilitating learning opportunities.
The Future of Work [00:22:08]Discussion on the changing nature of work, the value of trades, and the importance of learning new skills.
The Importance of Reading [00:25:10]The benefits of reading, including staying informed, expanding neural pathways, and the impact of fiction on creativity.
Terry Pratchett and Satire [00:26:12]Appreciation for Terry Pratchett's books, their satirical nature, and their reflection of modern life.