Systematic Leader Karl Staib

Join us for a conversation about using data to tell better stories. John Linford co-founded Deckability, a company that helps leaders tell better stories using data. One of my favorite parts of the interview was when he shared how he thinks about personal and career growth so he continues to develop his career and leadership skills.


Highlights from the interview:


1. Overcoming obstacles through feedback


John details how seeking constant feedback from his mentor helped him improve, though ego can get in the way of receiving criticism. Regular reviews are key to growth.


2. Storytelling in pitch decks


John explains the importance of establishing an emotional connection by addressing a real problem before introducing solutions. Conflict draws people in, as no one wants to hear about perfect lives.


3. Implementing systems for improvement


Karl stresses implementing review processes to catch issues before losing clients. Systems are needed to dissect problems and make informed decisions, not just try different strategies. Honest self-examination is paramount.


4. Cultivating a growth mindset


John pushed past comfort zones by seeking difficult roles outside his core strengths. Manifesting a vision 20% beyond current reality ensures continuous growth. Forcing functions like failures spur change.


5. Finding discipline through forcing functions


John's willingness to take career risks led to compressed learning and rapid growth. Aiming high and accepting discomfort ensures one exceeds expectations through discipline and passion for challenging oneself.


You can learn more about John over at Deckability. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn.


As always, if you have any questions or want to submit a guest for the podcast that you think would be amazing, just reach out to me on the Dig to Fly website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Dig to Fly podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

In this interview, you'll learn about the core foundation of developing SOPs and processes so you can streamline your team and company. I was interviewed by a student, and at first, I thought it was a fun interview and that I would never share it. But then, as I listened to it, I realized that it's important to share the foundation of SOPs and processes. We don't talk enough about creating standards in a company and how to remove friction to get better results.

Join us for an interview about career frameworks to level up your business. Callum Borchers is a Wall Street Journal columnist specializing in career research, advice, and ideas. One of my favorite parts of this interview is when he explains how to use






Highlights from the interview:






1. Work-life balance and mental health benefits






Callum discussed the changing workplace in light of the pandemic, with companies now offering better mental health benefits but still expecting high availability from employees. He explains why he thinks these perks aren’t going away any time soon.






2. Measuring success and setting expectations






Callum advised setting clear metrics for evaluating decisions to avoid biased assessments, using coaching as an example where expectations like profits must be set upfront.






3. Taking breaks to avoid burnout






Callum recommended scheduling breaks like exercise classes to reset, while Karl advocated disconnecting outdoors; both aim to prevent overload and its consequences like poor health. They also discuss the importance of blocking your calendar to focus on taking care of yourself.






4. Self-reflection and decision-making frameworks






Callum stressed knowing one's self-critique tendencies to craft useful journaling, while Karl valued reflection's role in connecting with others and considering different views. A key takeaway from this part of the interview is why successful people journal and what framework they use to grow their skills.






5. Creating autonomy while avoiding fear of failure






Callum noted the need to clarify expectations and leeway to feel confident in decisions and not fear quick removal, important for developing culture. It’s important to have these difficult conversations so everyone is on the same page.






6. Long-term vision and job security concerns






Callum suggested communicating a multi-year strategic direction to give stability amid the whiplash of the past years in the labor market and economy. It’s about understanding your standard for success.






7. Recommendations






Callum recommended Agassi's autobiography to help illustrate the importance of finding passion in life, and they thanked each other for the insightful discussion on leading well.






You can learn more about Cal over at the column On the Clock (Wall Street Journal link). You can also connect with him on LinkedIn. 






As always, if you have any questions or want to submit a guest for the podcast that you think would be amazing, just reach out to me on the Dig to Fly website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Dig to Fly podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Join us for an interview with Mike Schmitz, who shares how journaling helps him reflect on progress made through small iterative improvements. He helps people apply values-based productivity principles and systems.


Highlights from the interview:


1. Quarterly planning and personal retreat process


Mike details his quarterly planning process involving personal retreats, where he reviews values, intentions and systems. This clarity guides weekly and daily planning to optimize focus on high-impact work.


He also explains why he doesn’t create yearly goals and why they often fail for most people.


2. Weekly and daily planning


Mike translates quarterly intentions into weekly plans by considering calendar events and top tasks. He then plans specific daily tasks while maintaining flexibility for changes. This process minimizes stress from an overwhelming to-do list.


3. Motivation, goals vs intentions, and living in the game


Mike explains how goals often demotivate through failure or a perceived lack of progress. Intentions anchored in purpose intrinsically motivate through small wins. Journaling helps appreciate growth over time to stay motivated despite setbacks.


4. Systems thinking and continuous small improvements


Seeing one's life as an interdependent system explains current results. Small iterative improvements to optimize existing systems create lasting change better than overhauling everything. Journaling supports evaluating and tweaking systems.


5. Reflection, journaling and the importance of celebration


Mike's personal retreat includes reflecting on accomplishments, strengths and areas for improvement. Journaling what went well and celebrating progress boosts motivation.Self-awareness helps maintain intention-driven systems for long-term success.


He also talks about creating a life-theme and using that to help guide his decisions so he is focused on the important things in his career and life.


6. Developing a growth mindset and intrinsic motivation


Finding purpose beyond goals and anchoring intentions in core values intrinsically motivates perseverance. Systems already in place optimize small improvements when motivation is high. Self-reflection helps maintain a learning mindset for continuous progress.


He also explains why happy people are very productive. This was one of my favorite parts of our conversation.


You can learn more about Mike over at Mike Schmitz and Faith Based Productivity. He is a co-host of a podcast called Focused (Apple Podcast Link). You can also connect with him on LinkedIn.


As always, if you have any questions or want to submit a guest for the podcast that you think would be amazing, just reach out to me on the Dig to Fly website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Dig to Fly podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Join us for a discussion about the importance of creating culture in a company. We discussed relationship-building and leadership as the focus. Chrisa Zindros Boyce is an executive coach and strategic advisor to her clients.


Highlights from the interview: 


1. Leadership lessons from past experiences 


Chrisa tells a story about a leader who advocated for her potential despite limits, shaping her empathy and rapport-focus.


Lessons stick from those who invest in our growth.


She also explains the importance of learning how to tune into her gut to help her make decisions.


2. Having difficult conversations to repair relationships


She outlined tuning into ego, framing issues respectfully, and resolving conflicts through new understanding, not just fixes. True repair demands flexibility.


When we are unhappy with ourselves we often treat other people poorly. It’s this self-awareness that helps us create change.


3. Connecting employees to a company vision


Celebrating wins alongside driving progress fosters belonging for those enabling visions. Leaders must see tasks' impacts through others' eyes to motivate long-term.


Putting processes in place that helps the employee thrive in their role.


4. Celebrating wins to motivate teams


Drivers focus on doing more, not less. Strategic celebration of achievements strengthens why work matters for those making visions reality. Appreciation renews purpose.


It’s learning how to be intentional with where your company is putting it’s focus so you are getting great results in the right areas.


5. Current struggles and areas of focus


Chrisa juggled consultancy verticals yet leaned towards fractional COO work for its cultural impacts. Self-awareness requires applying advice despite preferences.


You can learn more about Chrisa Zindros Boyce over at her website. You can also connect with her on LinkedIn.


As always, if you have any questions or want to submit a guest for the podcast that you think would be amazing, just reach out to me on the Dig to Fly website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Dig to Fly podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!

Join us as we discuss navigating challenges and how important mindset is to get through our difficult moments as a leader. Meredith Calloway is the founder and CEO of the Gifted Travel Network. One of my favorite parts of the interview was how she built her company culture by bribing people with coffee.


Highlights from the interview:


I hope your ready to grow your leadership skills with frameworks that you can apply in your business and career today to be a better leader.


1. Core values and leadership qualities


Meredith discussed developing teamwork and relationships through sports from a young age, informing her values of resilience and trust in guiding Gifted Travel Network through hardship.


2. Letting go and trusting intuition


We use the analogy of pulling back a bow arrow, requiring discipline to trust the process and results will come. We can get caught in perfectionism if we aren’t careful. She talks about how you can let go, so you can implement the thing, learn from it and improve it for the next iteration.


3. Navigating challenges through mindset


Meredith used the pandemic's travel industry setback as an example of reframing difficulties as opportunities for future growth using mindset tools like "Everything happens for you, not to you."


4. Growth and organizational change


With rapid growth, Meredith now tackles organizational structure changes through consulting, following frameworks like EOS to structure their larger team and processes for continued success. She talks about the importance of partnering with the right people and how letting go of pasts partnerships is important to make room for better partnerships.


5. Learning from other leaders


Meredith discussed gleaning mindset wisdom from influential figures like Tony Robbins, Richard Branson, and her relationship coach who taught her to build successful relationships by strengthening her relationship with herself first. It’s also important to admit when you need help and find someone to help you make improvements in your business to help it stay on track with your vision.


7. Key ingredients for business success


Meredith emphasized intuition, learned through practices like meditation and exercise, is key to achieving success by filtering inner noise and accessing inner guidance on navigating challenges and opportunities.


You can learn more about Meredith over at Gifted Travel Network. You can also connect with her on LInkedIn. 


As always, if you have any questions or want to submit a guest for the podcast that you think would be amazing, just reach out to me on the Dig to Fly website, and I’ll do my best to get them on. If you enjoy the interview, please take 30 seconds to rate the Dig to Fly podcast on your favorite platform. Thanks!