The Smart Thinking Podcast

Episode 377: Engagement and Strengths - A Conversation with Emily Lorenz and Tim Hodges (Leadership)

Join us a for a great and in-depth conversation on the latest research around employee engagement and the application of your strengths in life and leadership. 
Tim and Emily are colleagues at Gallup and are friends of the podcast. Both Tim and Emily share strong insight into our current state of life at work and how to use our strengths to navigate through these "interesting" times. 
 
Walton research link: https://www.gallup.com/analytics/659819/k-12-teacher-research.aspx
 

Episode 376: A Needed Conversation (Leadership)

On this episode Ted revisits his favorite conversation with Greg Harden. Greg Harden was a legendary motivational figure and peak performance coach, best known for his influential work as an administrator and counselor at the University of Michigan. Often described as a "secret weapon" for elite athletes, he played a pivotal role in the mental development of stars like Tom Brady, Michael Phelps, and Desmond Howard. Through his coaching, Harden specialized in teaching individuals how to master their own emotions and build the mental resilience necessary to succeed both in sports and in life.
Greg's book: Stay Sane in an Insane World: How to Control the Controllables and Thrive - is one of the ten reads for Smart Thinkers! 

Episode 375: The Danger of Assumptions in Your Culture: The WHAT Principle

We are living in an age where people are believing the headlines (gossip) and not reading the story. As a result, people are making assumptions about the circumstances in their world and commenting before acquiring the facts. This leads us to a need to ask “what?” and follow the WHAT principle.
This episode will help you frame and recognize the need to once again focus on the facts and not the comments as well as be the leader to close the gap between headlines and comments by using "truths." 
Wonder about the headline and intent
Help yourself by being curious and asking questions
Acquire the facts
Truth focused communications

Episode 374: Normalize Positivity (Leadership & Process)

In nature, negative is always attracted to positive. In human nature however, negative attracts more negative. Take a listen as Ted breaks down how to normalize positivity with behaviors and processes.
It is time to normalize positivity in our lives and workspaces. This can only occur if we, as individuals, begin to challenge the norm of negativity. 
Follow Ted's four steps:
See positivity
Seek positivity
Be a supermodel of positivity 
Expect positivity 

Episode 373: Books for Break (Leadership)

Spring break is around the corner and that means we'll have time to reflect, reenergize, and maybe even relax. Since we are all leaders, that means we all need to invest in ourselves so that we can increase our ability to serve others. On this episode we explore six texts and a process using AI -- to help us increase the application of our learning.
Leaders are Readers! 
 
The books:
Yes to Life, Viktor Frankly
13 Things Mentally Strong Women Don't Do, Amy Morin
The Inner Game of Tennis, W. Timothy Gallwey
The Digital Delusion, Jared Horvath
Who is Government, Michael Lewis
Theo of Golden, Allen Levi
Plus a great new release produced at Golden Bear Studios: 
Roots Run Back to You by Day Ashworth 
 
 
 
 
 

Episode 372: Lead Like A Meteorologist – Change Management (Leadership & Process)

Spring is a season of change and when we lead change, we need some reminders to help us help ourselves and others get through the natural storms of change. We will explore the key behaviors for supporting change by focusing on processes that forecast the changes for others as well as providing tools and processes to support behaviors that will allow for others to find success in all the natural newness. People are pretty good at responding to changes in the weather – if they’re prepared. The same goes for organizational change!  
 
Smart Thinking Retreat Registration: https://events.cesa6.org/events/30986398049

Episode 371: Coach Yourself and Others!!! (Leadership & Best Practices)

Each of us need to grow forward. Coaching yourself and others through tools and processes is the best way to increase your leadership capacity and skill sets. Take a listen as we explore how to apply some of the best practices in coaching to support all those we serve and mostly ourselves. This type of coaching is applicable in every arena we find ourselves in – personally and professionally. 

Episode 371: Coach Yourself and the Others! (Leadership & Best Practices))

Each of us need to grow forward. Coaching yourself and others through tools and processes is the best way to increase your leadership capacity and skill sets. Take a listen as we explore how to apply some of the best practices in coaching to support all those we serve and mostly ourselves. This type of coaching is applicable in every arena we find ourselves in – personally and professionally.

Episode 370: A Conversation with a Conversation Expert: Craig Weber (Leadership & Tactics)

Take a listen as we discuss how to increase your ability to have meaningful conversations. Ted and Craig discuss how to lean into our difference, and they review strategies to support strong interactions that are purposeful. Vulnerability and authenticity are always difficult at work and finding impactful processes and behaviors to increase empathy are key. This episode will help you see new ways to approach conversations so that you are more confident and authentic when working with and leading others.
 
Craig: https://weberconsultinggroup.net/ 

Episode 369: Reflect and Project (Reflection & Leadership)

On every journey, we need to intentionally review (reflect) how far we’ve come and set goals (project) to ensure successful completion.
Take a listen as we discuss a strategy that is fun and engaging and will allow you to increase your leadership and support students, colleagues, and yourself through intentional strategies to support growth. All of this by talking to or writing your younger self and advising your older self.
The research is clear – reflect and project -- and you can help others (and yourself) be healthier, happier, and more engaged in life.