313: Jeff Harry – Playing at Work (Enhancing CX with Play)

In an inspiring exchange, Jeff Eschliman shares his journey from the idyllic landscapes of Fortuna, California, to becoming a visionary leader in the construction industry. His story, woven with the values instilled by his family and the wisdom gained from his military service, unfolds a compelling narrative on leadership, teamwork, and personal development. Eschliman delves into the pivotal moments that shaped his career, from early beginnings on construction sites to his transformative military experiences driving an armored vehicle in Iraq. These experiences not only honed his leadership skills but also instilled a profound belief in the importance of preparation and teamwork.

Jeff discusses the significance of integrating core values into one's life and career, emphasizing the transformative power of a one-page plan. This strategic tool, he explains, is not just about setting goals but about aligning one's actions with their deepest values and competencies. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, Eschliman inspires listeners to reflect on their own paths, encouraging them to craft a fulfilling journey that resonates with their true selves.

But it's not all about looking inward. Jeff's narrative is a testament to the impact of leadership on others, comparing the joy of mentoring to watching his children grow. He underscores the importance of self-care, continuous learning, and setting intentional goals as cornerstones of effective leadership.

This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of personal and professional growth. Jeff's journey is a powerful reminder of the resilience, dedication, and strategic planning required to lead a fulfilling life and make a lasting impact on those around us.

Don't miss out on this profound conversation. Tune in to discover how you can apply Jeff Eschliman's insights to your own life and leadership journey.

In a riveting conversation with Joshua Freedman, a luminary in the emotional intelligence arena, listeners are treated to profound insights on how emotional intelligence shapes leadership, influences organizational culture, and catalyzes personal growth. Through the lens of the world's largest study on emotional intelligence, Freedman unpacks the critical role of emotional intelligence in enhancing workplace dynamics, fostering meaningful connections, and driving effective leadership.

The dialogue delves into the nuances of emotional intelligence, revealing its pivotal role in navigating the complexities of modern work environments. Freedman emphasizes the tangible benefits of emotional intelligence, from improved employee engagement to heightened innovation, underscoring the importance of cultivating these skills within organizations and individuals alike.

Key moments of the podcast illuminate the transformative power of emotional intelligence in redefining leadership paradigms, advocating for a more empathetic, connected approach to managing teams and solving problems. Freedman's personal journey and his visionary work with Six Seconds offer an inspiring narrative, highlighting the actionable steps listeners can take to elevate their emotional intelligence and contribute to a more emotionally intelligent world.

This episode is not just an exploration of emotional intelligence but a call to action for leaders, professionals, and individuals to embrace emotional intelligence as a fundamental component of success and fulfillment in the digital age. Whether you're seeking to enhance your leadership skills, foster a more cohesive team environment, or embark on a journey of personal development, this conversation with Joshua Freedman offers invaluable insights and practical advice.

Diving into the heart of modern strategic planning, this special episode explores the challenges and opportunities in today's complex, VUCA environment. As we explore this landscape, we'll see why traditional strategic planning tools may no longer be sufficient in such a dynamic setting.

This episode shines a light on the "UNLEASH method," a groundbreaking approach that navigates through the volatile marketplace. This method integrates neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and positive psychology, offering a fresh perspective on goal attainment and strategy development. It questions the efficacy of quick fixes and emphasizes the need for thorough, well-considered strategies.

Our discussion will focus on the relevance of neuroscience in enhancing leadership and decision-making. By understanding biases and employing backward thinking, we aim to fortify our approach to business challenges. This session is an invitation to transition from dated methods to innovative, scientifically-backed planning techniques.

Beyond theoretical concepts, we're here to provide practical insights. The significance of regular strategic planning, continuous innovation, and engaging in a network of forward-thinking professionals will be highlighted, underscoring their importance for both personal and professional advancement.

Join us as we navigate the intricacies of the VUCA world, aiming to equip ourselves with the tools necessary for success. This session is an opportunity to transform your approach to strategic planning, embracing the future with insight and innovation. Let's embark on this journey together, stepping into a new era of business strategy and goal achievement.

Dive deep into the complexities of leadership with Adam Bryant on the Fast Leader Show! Discover the art of extracting every lesson from life's experiences, akin to wringing out a wet towel. Bryant unpacks the delicate balance leaders must strike between contradictory traits, shrewdly adapting to the uncertainty of our times. Learn why post-2020 leadership demands a keen ability to simplify complexity and ask pivotal questions in a world rife with volatility.

Reflect with Bryant on the necessity of pausing for introspection despite the relentless pace of modern leadership. Explore the insightful "due to say" ratio, a testament to a leader's trustworthiness, and navigate the nuances of managing upwards with brutal honesty. Gain perspective on personal growth as Bryant shares his journey from The New York Times reporter to a leadership maven, emphasizing the significance of authentic networking and understanding your unique leadership path.

Adam's candid discussion reveals the heightened demands on leaders today, urging aspiring managers to embrace the thrill of steering through rapid changes. As he reflects on his personal choices and the nature of ambitious leadership, Bryant challenges us to ponder the fundamental question: "Why do you really want to lead?"

Embark on this thought-provoking episode with Jim Rembach and Adam Bryant – it's an invaluable session for anyone looking to lead with insight, self-awareness, and authenticity.

In this episode of the Fast Leader Show, Dr. Laura McGuire shares her insights on a range of topics, from emotional intelligence and inclusion to stress management and leadership development. She emphasizes the importance of consent, trauma-informed care, and human connection in fostering a positive work environment. Dr. McGuire also discusses the need for accountability and responsibility in addressing others' needs, as well as the challenges of bridging the generational divide in leadership. 

One key takeaway is the significance of personalized communication in effective dialogue. Dr. McGuire highlights the importance of contextualizing and differentiating in order to achieve goals and foster understanding. She also shares her personal and academic goals, including pursuing a master's degree in Divinity and a doctorate in educational leadership for change. 

Another key theme is the power of compassion and overcoming self-doubt in effective leadership. Dr. McGuire encourages leaders to embrace change and break free from cognitive dissonance, unlocking the potential of AI and other transformative technologies. She also emphasizes the value of building trust and connection in the workplace through effective communication and understanding emotional cues. 

Overall, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tools for leaders looking to enhance their emotional intelligence, embrace change, and cultivate interconnectedness. Tune in to the Fast Leader Show to hear Dr. Laura McGuire's wisdom and learn how to unleash your leadership potential.

In this episode of the Fast Leader Show, Jim Rembach welcomes Nicole Kyle, an expert in the contact center industry since the 1990s. Nicole seeks to understand the current challenges in the industry and explores three seismic challenges facing contact centers. While skill development has been a focal point, Nicole emphasizes the importance of career development and how the majority of agents now view their role as a long-term commitment. 

Nicole introduces a competency model for leaders consisting of seven competencies, with a mix of hard and soft skills. This model emphasizes the significance of how leaders engage with their teams and work together, rather than just following processes. Their company offers certifications in these competencies, recognizing their value in developing effective leaders. 

Flexibility is crucial in structuring career development, and Nicole's company uses a segmentation model to categorize employees based on their motivators. This enables them to tailor career development programs to individual needs. Moreover, Nicole expands on flexibility in the workplace, encouraging leaders to consider not only work location but also the type of work and distribution of tasks to prevent burnout and foster engagement.

Agent engagement and retention are major challenges for customer contact leaders due to the ongoing shift in the labor market. These challenges revolve around effective management dynamics, operationalizing flexibility, and offering flexibility that meets personal needs. Nicole's insights on leadership competencies, personalization, motivation strategies, and operationalized flexibility provide valuable guidance for industry professionals.

Tune in to this episode of Fast Leader Show to gain valuable insights on navigating the current challenges in the contact center industry and learn how to maximize agent engagement and retention. Get ready to rethink leadership and career development strategies for a future of flexible work.

In this episode of the Fast Leader Show, Jim Rembach sits down with guest Tom Schmitt, CEO of a multi-billion dollar transportation company. Together, they dive into the valuable lessons learned from the past few years and how they can be applied in the business world. From the importance of flexibility and empathy to the role of ambition and passion, Tom shares insightful wisdom that can help listeners achieve re

In this episode of the Fast Leader Show, we are joined by Oded Netzer, a Columbia Business School professor and Amazon Scholar. Oded, an expert in data-driven decision making, discusses common biases like overconfidence, availability, and confirmation bias that can hinder our use of data. 

He introduces the powerful IWIC (I Wish I Knew) tool, which focuses on identifying key questions rather than complex statistical analysis. We delve into the concept of quantitative intuition, emphasizing the value of precision questioning, contextualizing data, and synthesizing information for decision making. 

Oded reveals the importance of combining data with intuition and building teams that understand both business and data science. He also discusses his book, "Decisions over Decimals," which promotes starting with a decision and embracing uncertainty. 

Finally, we examine the role of context in data analysis and the dangers of data without context. Join us as we navigate the nuanced world of data-driven decision making.

In this episode of the Fast Leader Show, we're excited to have Chuck Mollor – executive coach, consultant, and author of The Rise of the Agile Leader. Chuck shares various insights on the importance of leadership adaptability, understanding oneself, and teamwork in navigating complex challenges and change. He also discusses employee engagement, identifying cultural champions, and the need for leadership accountability. 

Chuck emphasizes the relevance of having a strong company culture foundation, which can impact financial performance and differentiate the brand. He also delves into the topic of categorizing employees into various groups and emphasizes the importance of retaining top talent. Lastly, we touch on Chuck's book and its valuable insights for leadership. Tune in to this thought-provoking episode that will equip you with practical tips and strategies for effective leadership.

As leaders, we must recognize the power of data-backed insights when implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Understanding the unique needs of our organizations is crucial, and we can't simply rely on what has worked for others. By conducting listening sessions, refining career planning, and offering mentorship programs, we can promote DEI without needing a Chief Diversity Officer or extensive content.

When it comes to leadership growth, introspection and humility are key. We should focus on our personal journeys, learning from others outside our immediate circles, and striving to improve. Embracing this mindset allows us to better tackle systemic issues and foster a more inclusive environment.

A great example of effective education for leaders can be found in online leadership academies, particularly those geared toward frontline supervisors. They emphasize community building and quality learning while ensuring that the return on investment is taken into account. This holistic approach to training can help develop well-rounded leaders who value diversity and inclusion.

In the marketplace, diverse teams are essential for driving success and innovation. We should particularly admire and learn from women leaders, especially women of color, who bring unique perspectives and experiences to the table. By providing real-world solutions to executives' challenges and creating safe spaces for open discussions, we can cultivate a workplace that thrives on diversity and inclusion.

In summary, embracing data-backed insights, focusing on personal growth, and offering effective education are vital for leaders seeking to implement successful DEI strategies. By doing so, we can foster a diverse, inclusive, and productive work environment.