Assessing Personalities w/ Erich Kurschat

A serial entrepreneur who entered the United States as a refugee from Ukraine at the age of 8, Diana had launched and sold millions of dollars worth of products and services by her early thirties. Today, she is an innovation consultant, leadership development keynote speaker, and New York Times bestselling author whose books have been taught in over 100 universities. And her parents would like you to know that her sister is a doctor. Diana is the author of Go Big or Go Home. 

Mentioned on the Show:

• Go Big or Go Home by Diana Kander: https://a.co/d/5x73IOK
• Be sure to listen to Diana’s interview with O’Brien to learn how to receive her book for free
• Diana’s website: https://dianakander.com/
• Learn more about Diana’s other books here: https://dianakander.com/books/
• Jesse Itzler and the Big A## Calendar: https://jesseitzler.com/products/calendar-2024
• Gabrielle Reece on The Joe Rogan Experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7HhQhQjC4A

________________________

• Connect with O’Brien McMahon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/obrienmcmahon/
• Learn more about O’Brien: https://obrienmcmahon.com/
• O’Brien’s new book—How You Become You—is available now: https://a.co/d/22kZ0sV

________________________

Timestamps:
(2:11) - Welcoming Diana.
(3:02) - How does one become an innovation consultant?
(3:44) - What is most misunderstood about innovation?
(6:51) - How do you limit your capacity so you have flex time?
(9:52) - What are examples of your "impossible tasks"?
(13:03) - What makes a person or a pitch memorable?
(15:22) - Can you talk about the level of research you do to prepare for a pitch?
(16:37) - Is that different than the old school build rapport?
(20:49) - How do you balance technical knowledge with relationship building?
(22:49) - What are tips to build trust in high-stakes situations?
(25:04) - What do you say to people who say these methods are cheesy?
(29:01) - How do you avoid starting a meeting by telling them about yourself? 
(31:18) - What does it mean to take people on a journey with your pitch?
(33:23) -  How important is it to have a global overarching theme?
(34:06) - How do you think about losses?
(36:03) - How do you think about surprise and how important is it?
(37:41) - Can you give examples of ways you’ve used surprise?
(39:16) - Why are 3D objects important?
(42:04) - Is it correct to say you need to be both thoughtful and vulnerable to make it a successful pitch?
(44:04) - How do you keep this fresh without burning out?
(45:28) - How do you guide people through resistance to the GO BIG OR GO HOME method? 
(45:59) - What do you say to the person who thinks they’re not creative?
(48:49) - How do you apply these principles in your personal life?
(50:08) - Remember: you want to pitch something that is unique.
(53:43) - Where can people reach you?

In this special episode, O'Brien and past guest Jason Lauritsen announce a unique in-person event for People Business listeners who lead HR.

Designing Work for Humans: A People Business Summit will take place in Chicago on June 3rd and 4th, teaching HR leaders design skills they can use in their organizations to solve pressing business problems while making work better for the humans who work there.

APPLY HERE: https://peoplebusinesssummit.com/

This will be a project-based learning environment, meaning it will be immersive and hands-on, giving attendees a chance to practice what they are learning in real-time and with real-world applications.

We are partnering with Embarc, a Chicago-based nonprofit helping underserved students across 20+ schools by designing experiences that show them all the city (and the world) has to offer. Check out Embarc's mission here: https://embarcchicago.org/

If you are an HR leader who wants to be a better internal consultant to your executive team, who wants to help your organization face an uncertain future, who wants to improve the lives of your employees... this is the event for you. 

Julie Dirksen is the author of the books Design For How People Learn and Talk to the Elephant: Design Learning for Behavior Change. She is a learning strategy consultant with a focus on incorporating behavioral science into learning interventions. She’s been an adjunct faculty member at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and is a Learning Guild Guildmaster.

Mentioned on the Show:

• Talk to the Elephant: Design Learning for Behavior Change (book): https://a.co/d/hYJTByT
• Design For How People Learn (Voices that Matter) (book): https://a.co/d/9BoCfdX
• Augmented and Virtual Reality for Behavior Change (white paper): https://www.learningguild.com/insights/237/augmented-and-virtual-reality-for-behavior-change/
• Connect with Julie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliedirksen
• Julie's website: https://usablelearning.com/

________________________

• Connect with O’Brien McMahon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/obrienmcmahon/
• Learn more about O’Brien: https://obrienmcmahon.com/
• O’Brien’s new book—How You Become You—is available now: https://a.co/d/22kZ0sV

Timestamps:

(2:04) - Welcoming Julie
(3:58) - Do adults and kids learn differently?
(8:00) - Can you explain the title of your book ‘Talk to the Elephant’?
(18:34) - How does delayed gratification play into corporate training?
(26:53) - How do you feel about the concept of experiential learning?
(31:18) - How do you see people using augmented reality and virtual reality in the workplace?
(41:29) - Can you talk about what is extrinsic vs. intrinsic motivation?
(49:49) - Can you talk about what is the difference between individual and group behavior change?
(1:03:20) - Where can people find you if they want to learn more about this?
(1:04:16) - What suggestions would you give people to start implementing instructional design?

Erin Diehl is a Business Improv Edutainer, Failfluencer, and Professional Zoombie. Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn, play, and grow. Her new book, I See You: A Leader's Guide to Energizing Your Team Through Radical Empathy, has paired her eighteen years of leadership experience with her improv-honed sense of humor to create a mindset shift for busy, stressed-out leaders. Using laughter, positivity, and empathy, Erin will take you on a journey of self-exploration to discover a newfound sense of self-love and inner peace that translates into improved leadership performance.

Mentioned on the Show:

• I See You: A Leader's Guide to Energizing Your Team Through Radical Empathy (book): https://a.co/d/7USky6M
• Erin's website: https://www.itserindiehl.com/
• Erin's Meditation Album: https://www.itserindiehl.com/i-see-you-store/p/i-see-you-meditations-for-magnetizing-and-attracting-abundance
• Improve It!: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/

Time Codes:

(1:54) - Welcoming Erin.
(3:32) - What is this book, I See You, and why did you decide to write it?
(8:05) - What does “life is an energy management problem” mean?
(10:20) - How did you get that internal energy? 
(13:15) - What does energy correction look like?
(16:26) - How did you come up with this process?
(28:29) - Can you talk about self-limiting beliefs?
(41:49) - Why is “if you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life” B.S.?
(45:02) - What advice do you have for people who want to embrace Radical Empathy and feel stuck?
(59:14) - A final message for the audience.

Jon McGraw co-founded Vision Pursue (VP) after it’s principles radically shifted his mindset, performance, and overall life experience. He’s since guided and assisted in the successful application of these principles inside hundreds of corporate teams and sports franchises. He’s a sought after keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and Performance Mindset trainer. Before VP, Jon played 10 years in the NFL plus completed business management and entrepreneurship programs at Harvard Business School and Wharton Business School.

Mentioned on the Show:

• Learn more about Jon’s organization, Vision Pursue: https://visionpursue.com/
• Jon’s profile and bio: https://visionpursue.com/vp-team/jon-mcgraw/#bio-anchor
• Connect with Jon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonmcgrawperformancemindset
• Jocko Willink’s podcast: https://pod.link/1070322219
• Jocko Willink – “GOOD”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdTMDpizis8
• Wim Hof breathing techniques: https://www.wimhofmethod.com/breathing-exercises

________________________

• Connect with O’Brien McMahon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/obrienmcmahon/
• Learn more about O’Brien: https://obrienmcmahon.com/
• O’Brien’s new book—How You Become You—is available now: https://a.co/d/22kZ0sV

________________________

Timestamps:

(2:13) - Welcoming Jon
(2:54) - How did you get into brain science and mental performance as a profession?
(4:48) - Can you talk about the different components of brain productivity and brain healing?
(6:32) - When you shift to a more conscious response what do you see in the brain from a health perspective?
(7:59) - What have you seen with your own brain scans?
(11:45) - What do you think meditation would have done for you while you were playing football?
(13:03) - What do you mean by “hard drivers especially need to use meditation techniques?”
(17:51) – Does our society have an unnatural focus on “purpose?”
(24:06) - What are your recommendations to keep the loose, playful mentality when we need to make money?
(27:30) - What does the shift from analytical to experiential brain?
(36:12) - How do you help people keep the big vision and be present in the same moment?
(38:34) - How do we attach dopamine to things it wouldn’t normally be attached to?
(43:13) - What do you do when that negative voice comes back?
(49:03) - How does your work help people stay on task and not need the dopamine rush of escape activities?
(53:27) - How do we assess the emotion we’re feeling and how do we find a healthier path for it?
(57:16) - What would you recommend as a place to start?
(1:01:02) - What is power breathing?
(1:02:57) - Where can people reach you?

Brad is the Founder and CEO of JB Training Solutions. An accomplished public speaker and executive coach, Brad has been featured on CNN, CNBC, and Dr. Phil, and has been quoted in: The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Fortune, and USA Today among many others. Brad is also the author of three business books including the critically acclaimed Manager 3.0: A Millennial’s Guide to Rewriting the Rules of Management. Brad presents annually at the SHRM National Conference and was ranked #1 out of more than 200 speakers.
 
Mentioned on the Show:

• JB Training Solutions: https://jbtrainingsolutions.com/
• Connect with Brad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradkarsh/
• Manager 3.0 by Brad Karsh (book): https://a.co/d/3QO4E48

________________________

• Connect with O’Brien McMahon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/obrienmcmahon/
• Learn more about O’Brien: https://obrienmcmahon.com/
• O’Brien’s new book—How You Become You—is available now: https://a.co/d/22kZ0sV

Timestamps:

(2:11) - Welcoming Brad.
(4:06) - How did you go from advertising to running a training and development company?
(7:57) - How did you hone your ability to command attention? 
(11:30) - What was the process for improving your speaking ability?
(15:48) - How do you balance the best possible you with the authentic you?
(20:27) - Can you talk about different styles for different scenarios?
(24:21) - How do you think about language?
(31:15) - How have you built your ability to tell stories and connect with other people?
(33:10) - How did you become the guy who thinks in stories?
(37:45) - Do you have examples of how to bring these subjects to life?
(45:06) - Is there anything we haven’t covered?
(49:25) - Where can people find you and JB Training Solutions if they want more of this in their lives?

Shannon is the Practice Leader of Lockton's Global People Solutions team in the United States where she works with multinational companies, helping them organize and manage their global benefits programs. 
 
Mentioned on the Show:

• Lockton People Solutions: https://global.lockton.com/us/en/products-services/people-solutions
• Connect with Shannon Boyle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-boyle-8299604
• Learn more about Shannon at Lockton: https://global.lockton.com/us/en/news-insights/shannon-boyle-named-practice-leader-of-lockton-global-people-solutions

Timestamps:

(2:14) - Welcoming Shannon.
(2:54) - How did you get into global benefits?
(4:59) - How should a leader think about rewards and benefits globally?
(7:20) - When does it make sense to bring global benefits oversight in-house and when is it better to keep it with a global PEO model?
(8:20) - Are there good global payroll companies?
(12:24) - Can you talk about the variety of benefits from country to country? 
(16:01) - Where do you start when consulting with a new client?
(23:16) - Are companies looking for equality or equity when it comes to benefits across the globe?
(25:58) - What is the state of wellness or well-being programs around the world?
(31:17) - How should employers think about managing small and large populations under the same umbrella?
(34:01) - Has EAP utilization changed around the world?
(38:42) - What are best practices for avoiding cross-cultural mistakes?
(39:54) - Can you define "governance" when it comes to managing global benefits?
(42:32) - How can leaders tap into the local market while keeping decision-making centralized?
(44:35) - What types of benefits are available to Expats?
(49:16) - What is multi-national pooling?
(51:50) - How is Lockton approaching global benefits differently than competitors?

Laura Kriska is an expert on cross-cultural relations with more than thirty years of experience bridging gaps in diverse workplaces. She has worked with Fortune 500 companies on four continents, helping thousands of professionals build trust across Us vs. Them differences based on nationality, ethnicity, race, religion, age, or any factor of identity. Her WE-Building framework provides practical and actionable insights for creating a more inclusive and productive world.

Mentioned on the Show:

• Laura Kriska's book, The Business of We: https://a.co/d/bcm1SVq
• Learn more about Laura at her website: https://www.laurakriska.com/
• Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-kriska-0a93902a
• Marcus Buckingham (author): https://www.marcusbuckingham.com/
• Bonus! Twelve Hours' Sleep by Twelve Weeks Old (baby sleep training book): https://a.co/d/aklrwro

Timestamps:

(2:16) - Welcoming Laura
(3:15) - Why are we so afraid of those who are different than us and how do you see that showing up in the workplace?
(5:03) - Can you give us a little bit about your background that led you into this field?
(10:10) - What’s your response to the attitude of ‘let’s buck up and move on’ in relation to that kind of situation?
(16:44) - Are microaggressions real or no?
(21:45) - How can we 'reframe' some group identities we may hold?
(29:25) - How do we do this in corporate environments?
(35:19) - How do we open ourselves to embrace new and diverse situations?
(43:02) - Are there ways to do this that don’t fall into 'tokenism'?
(48:56) - How can leaders harness truly improve communication among various groups?
(50:29) - What do we really have to get at to be bridging these connections?
(55:49) - Do you have any suggestions for business leaders on how to make room for nuance and allow difference of opinion to exist?
(1:00:21) - Laura invites us all to WE-build

Kendra Brodin is the Founder and CEO of EsquireWell, a lawyer well-being and professional development company providing consulting, training, and the EsquireWell Academy, a cutting-edge online learning community, to help lawyers be happier, healthier, and more successful. Before founding her company, Kendra was Chief Attorney Development Officer at a large national law firm where she managed firm-wide lawyer training and development as well as well-being initiatives. In this episode, we talk about the performance expectations placed on attorneys and what they (or professionals in any industry) can do to be at our best in a demanding environment.
 
Mentioned in this Episode: 

• Kendra's Coaching firm Esquire Well: https://www.esquirewell.com/
• The Feeling Wheel developed by Dr. Gloria Wilcox: https://cdn.gottman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/The-Gottman-Institute_The-Feeling-Wheel_v2.pdf
• The Upside of Stress by Kelly McGonigal: https://a.co/d/7DQEt4Q TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend?language=en

Timestamps

(1:44) - Welcoming Kendra
(2:01) - What do you do and how did you come to be doing that work?
(5:26) - Is it safe to say that this conversation is not just limited to corporate attorneys but to all who think about the workplace as performance?
(6:39) - What are the demands placed on attorneys?
(10:48) - What are the traits required to navigate the legal field at a high level?
(15:35) - What are good ways people can start to do this work and recognize the impact of their emotions?
(22:23) - Can we do this on our own? Are there any exercises to start to do this?
(40:01) - Is discussing these "soft" emotional matters a distraction?
(42:31) - How do you think about grit and mental toughness?
(46:53) - How do you help clients determine where they are in the spectrum and whether they need to hang in there or stop and take a break?
(50:43) - What does good recovery look like?
(1:00:08) - Is there anything you’d like to add to sum up our conversation?

Paul A. LaLonde, SHRM-CP, CCAP is a deliberate HR pro, who believes philosophy is a difference-making pursuit in business and life. Paul serves as the VP of People & Culture for CEDA of Cook County in Chicago. CEDA is one of the largest Community Action Agencies in the Country. Paul has won numerous awards including the HR Today MVP Award for his blog HR Philosopher. He is also a bestselling author of the book People Fusion: Best Practices to Build and Retain a Strong Team.

Mentioned on the Show:

• The HR Philosopher (blog): https://hrphilosopher.com/
• People Fusion (book): https://a.co/d/8nbTBkg
• The Art of Living and Finding Happiness translated by Sharon Lebell (book): https://a.co/d/e5lGvcy
• The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday (book): https://a.co/d/gKitXFF
• Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl (book): https://a.co/d/7KWlloq
• The Tao of Strategy by L. J. Bourgeois, Serge Eygenson, Kanokrat Namasondhi (book): https://a.co/d/bcvtVIl

Timestamps:
(1:44) - Welcoming Paul
(2:15) - What is philosophy to you?
(6:16) - How did you come to philosophy originally?
(8:37) - What types of philosophy have you studied the most and which do you think are most relevant to business leaders today?
(14:28) - Can you explain the Philosopher Manager concept?
(16:41) - Where do people start and what are the basic principles of the Philosopher Manager?
(25:13) - What does it mean to lead yourself?
(27:28) - What does your journaling practice look like?
(28:56) - Will you take a quote or a line and break down what it means to you?
(31:05) - What does the personal reflection look like when you don’t act as you think you should have?
(40:05) - How do you use philosophy when making decisions?
(42:10) - Is there anything you’ve learned from philosophy that's helped you communicate better?
(47:11) - What changes have you made in your personal life based on these philosophies?
(55:01) - Where is the best place for the newcomer to start?
(57:14) - What is the purpose of business?