In this conversation, Julie Williamson and Jo Aidroos explore the journey of leadership, the challenges faced in navigating personal and professional growth, and the importance of moving from mere agreement to true alignment in organizations. Jo shares her personal experiences, including her struggles with mental health and the need for better mental health education in schools. They discuss the significance of communication, trust, and vulnerability in leadership, and how these elements contribute to successful transformation within organizations.

Takeaways:

• Jo Aidroos emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in leadership.
• Resilience is built through experience, especially during challenging times.
• Transformation requires time and dialogue for true alignment.
• Effective communication is crucial for understanding and implementing strategies.
• Mental health education should be normalized in schools to reduce stigma.
• Simplicity in messaging helps in achieving alignment among stakeholders.
• Trust is foundational for moving from agreement to alignment.
• Vulnerability in leadership fosters trust and connection with teams.
• Personal experiences can provide valuable lessons in leadership and transformation.
• Engaging in conversations rather than just telling is key to effective leadership.

In this episode, Julie Williamson speaks with Ken Wilkinson, founder and CEO of Layer 10, about his leadership journey, the importance of alignment in business, and the intersection of technology and property development. They discuss the challenges of executing ideas, the role of AI in the built environment, and the need for affordable housing solutions. Ken shares insights on how to move from agreement to alignment in personal and professional contexts, emphasizing the importance of intentionality and mentorship. The conversation also highlights the work being done by Trailhead Community to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Takeaways

• Ken's journey from consulting to founding Layer 10 was shaped by his experiences and realizations about his true purpose.
• Alignment with personal values, such as faith and family, serves as a guiding light in business decisions.
• Execution is key; ideas alone are not enough to create impact.
• Technology should enhance the user experience in property development, not just be implemented for its own sake.
• Future readiness is more important than future proofing; prepare for inevitable changes in technology.
• AI has the potential to revolutionize architecture and building operations by predicting patterns and improving efficiency.
• The conversion of office spaces to residential is complex and requires careful planning and execution.
• Affordable housing remains a critical issue that requires alignment across various sectors.
• Intentional communication and clear purpose are essential for moving from agreement to alignment in teams.
• Mentorship and seeking guidance from experienced individuals can help navigate challenges in entrepreneurship.

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If you would like to connect with Ken outside of this episode, connect with him on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenwilkinsonjr/ or learn more about Trailhead Community here: https://www.trailheadcommunity.org/

In this episode of the Failure Gap, Julie Williamson speaks with Katie Jarek, a Global Business Strategist and Consulting Director, about her career journey, the challenges of swimming the English Channel, and the parallels between personal challenges and leading organizational transformations. They discuss the importance of embracing opportunities, building trust, and creating a safe space for difficult conversations in leadership. Katie shares insights on navigating the messiness of transformation, connecting in a hybrid work environment, and the significance of normalizing tough discussions to foster transparency and collaboration.

Takeaways

• Embrace opportunities as they arise and be willing to explore new paths.
• Building a strong network is essential for career growth.
• Flexibility and creativity are crucial during challenging times.
• Creating a safe space for difficult conversations is vital for team success.
• Trust and transparency in leadership foster a positive work environment.
• Engaging in team-building activities can strengthen remote connections.
• The messiness of transformation is a natural part of the process.
• Normalizing difficult conversations can prevent issues from escalating.
• Empowering teams to learn and adapt is key to successful transformations.
• Celebrating small successes keeps the team motivated during long projects.

#transformationalleadership #leadershiptransformation #hybridwork #TheFailureGap

In this episode of the Failure Gap podcast, Julie Williamson speaks with Rob Ripp, founder of Fintelligent, about the importance of financial clarity for entrepreneurs. Rob shares his journey from corporate jobs to founding his own company, emphasizing the need for business owners to understand their finances and the value of community support. The conversation explores themes of learning from failure, embracing vulnerability, and the balance between revenue and profit. Rob highlights the emotional aspects of business ownership and the importance of making informed decisions while managing risks. The episode concludes with a call for unity and understanding in both business and personal relationships.

Takeaways

• Rob Ripp emphasizes the importance of pursuing one's passion in business.
• Financial clarity is crucial for entrepreneurs to grow and succeed.
• Learning from failure can lead to personal and professional growth.
• Community support and peer groups are vital for business owners.
• Building confidence in financial management is essential for entrepreneurs.
• Revenue should not be prioritized over profit; profit is key to sustainability.
• Making informed decisions requires understanding risks and trade-offs.
• Emotional intelligence plays a significant role in business ownership.
• Vulnerability can foster deeper connections and support among business leaders.
• Finding harmony and unity in business can lead to better outcomes.

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If you would like to connect with Rob outside of this episode, connect with him on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rripp/ or learn more about her business Articulate, Real and Clear here: https://www.fintelligent.com/

In this episode of the Failure Gap podcast, Julie Williamson speaks with Dana Sednek, an expert in digital transformation. They discuss Dana's journey in leadership, the importance of a learning mindset, and the impact of generative AI on business. The conversation emphasizes the need for permission, potential, and possibility in organizational change, as well as the critical roles of direction, commitment, and capability. They explore the concepts of readiness and ripeness for transformation, the significance of focusing on people and processes, and the necessity of unlearning outdated mindsets to foster growth and innovation.

Takeaways:

• A career path isn't usually paved.
• You don't know what you don't know until you get in.
• Action precedes clarity sometimes.
• You have to go and then you discover.
• What gets measured often gets manipulated.
• You need direction, commitment, and capability.
• If you don't know where you're starting, any road will get you there.
• The tech is not going to be your problem.
• What do I need to unlearn?
• Having more conversations about unlearning.

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If you would like to connect with Dana outside of this episode, connect with her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danasednek/ or learn more about Dana Sednek Consulting here: https://www.danasednek.com/

In this conversation, Julie Williamson, Ph.D. speaks with Dallas Olson, Chief Commercial Officer at NetApp, about his journey to leadership and the importance of navigating the gap between agreement and alignment in both personal and professional contexts. They discuss the significance of creating safe spaces for conversations, the role of curiosity in engagement, and the necessity of consistency in team alignment. Dallas shares personal anecdotes, particularly about coaching soccer, to illustrate the challenges and rewards of pursuing goals and the importance of process in strategy execution. The discussion emphasizes the need for leaders to foster an environment where team members feel safe to express their thoughts and where curiosity can lead to better collaboration and alignment.

Takeaways:

• Navigating career paths often involves unexpected turns - be open to the journey.
• The gap between agreement and alignment is common in both personal and professional life.
• You have to be in love with the process as well as the goal.
• Creating space for conversations is essential for team alignment
• Curiosity can help leaders understand and address team dynamics better.
• Assuming positive intent fosters a safe environment for discussions.
• Consistency in small actions leads to significant change over time.
• How to execute strategy is often overlooked in favor of the what and why.
• Personal growth experiences can inform professional practices - look for the lessons.
• Work-life balance is something everyone could benefit from aligning on.
• Engaging in open conversations about challenges strengthens team dynamics.

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If you would like to connect with Dallas outside of this episode, connect with him on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dallas-olson-jr/ or learn more about NetApp here: https://www.netapp.com/

In this episode of the Failure Gap podcast, Julie speaks with Hilary Blair, CEO and co-founder of Articulate, Real and Clear. They discuss the journey of navigating the space between agreement and alignment in leadership and communication. Hilary shares her background in theater and how it shaped her approach to helping leaders communicate effectively. The conversation explores the importance of being available as a leader, the dynamics of power in communication, and the need for self-awareness and mindset shifts to foster better collaboration and innovation within teams. They emphasize the value of fruitful friction in discussions and the necessity of creating a safer space for diverse voices to be heard.

Takeaways

• Words create worlds; the language we use matters and leaders must bridge agreement and alignment by fostering open dialogue and valuing diverse perspectives.
• Availability, mindful language, and self-awareness are crucial for effective leadership communication.
• Friction can lead to fruitful discussions and innovation, and safe spaces encourage open communication, where friction can spark innovation and collaboration.
• Diversity of thought enhances team outcomes.
• Understanding power dynamics and embracing mindset shifts are essential for collaborative success.
• Leaders must evolve their habits to promote inclusivity and achieve true alignment within their teams.

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If you would like to connect with Hilary outside of this episode, connect with her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hbarticulate/ or learn more about her business Articulate, Real and Clear here: https://articulaterc.com/

In this conversation, Julie Williamson and David Prager discuss the challenges of prioritization, building trust, and creating shared meaning within teams. David shares personal anecdotes about his leadership journey, emphasizing the need for vulnerability, accountability, and the power of making intentions visible. The discussion highlights how effective leadership can bridge gaps in understanding and foster collaboration across diverse teams.

Takeaways:

• Alignment is a learned skill that leaders can develop.
• Prioritization is often a struggle for organizations despite agreement on its importance.
• Building trust and accountability is essential for effective teamwork.
• Creating shared meaning helps unify diverse teams around common goals.
• Vulnerability in leadership fosters a culture of openness and trust.
• Caring out loud encourages team engagement.
• Psychological safety allows team members to voice concerns without fear.
• The journey to a shared purpose is more important than the statement itself.
• Diversity in leadership leads to better decision-making and business outcomes.

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If you would like to connect with David outside of this episode, connect with him on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-prager/