The Smart Thinking Podcast

Episode 297: “Stop Being Afraid of Being Afraid” A Conversation with Greg Harden (Leadership & Reflection)

This conversation with author and mental fitness guru Greg Harden is going to change you, your leadership and maybe even your life. His book is fantastic, his career is amazing, and this conversation is a game changer. Take a listen as Greg and Ted – two obnoxious optimists – discuss how to support your own journey and how to focus on being your own best friend.
 
Book: Stay Sane in an Insane World: How To Control the Controllables and Thrive

Episode 296: Empathy Diminishes Fear: The Appendix Episode (Reflection and Leadership)

Join us for a discussion of how an emergency surgery supercharged Ted's belief that empathy is the greatest leadership quality. Hear as he discusses the great care he received and how the healthcare workers supporting him diminished his vulnerability by being empathetic. You'll be inspired to think about how you matter in the moments when others need you the most! 
Describe the last time you felt vulnerable and how you overcame that emotion
List the people in your life that would benefit from your empathy
Describe how you can increase your empathy in your actions
 

Episode 295: Conversations with Outcomes- An Discussion with Author Craig Weber

What is your intentional process to ensure you get the best from an interaction with someone else? Seriously, people you like, people you work with, people you over and even people on the opposite side of politics?
Join us a for a great conversation where Craig and Ted trade a ton of strategies and tactics to support you in developing a stronger ability to have great conversations. 

Episode 294: Six Books For Spring! (Learning & Growing)

As we look to the start of spring and a break for many of us, I want to give you some texts to read to invest in yourself and others! This list of texts is best read in the order explained and below. However, each book, by itself, is fantastic!
 
Stay Sane In An Insane World, Greg Harden
A New Kind Of Diversity, Tim Elmore
Yes To The Mess, Frank Barrett
How To Know A Person, David Brooks
The Little Liar, Mitch Albom
Maybe, Kobi Yamada

Episode 293: Let's Talk About Strengths! A conversation with Tim Hodges (Reflection and Tools)

Gallup has so many great resources and one of my favorites is the Clifton Strength Finder. Join me for a conversation with Dr. Tim Hodges who over sees the Clifton Strengths Institute and learn how to apply your strengths and utilize the tool in new and rewarding ways. 

Episode 292: The Advantage of a Short Attention Span (Tool & Reflection)

Maybe we all need to learn a new habit. Short-term memory when leading. In other words, how to move ourselves along quickly so that we don't get trapped in a narrative that causes us more stress and pressure. Well, as Ted Lasso says: be a goldfish.
 
Use the four f's to get you there: fast, forgive, forget and forward!

Episode 291: Generational Diversity: A Conversation with Author Tim Elmore

Join me for a conversation with author Tim Elmore as we discuss his newest book: A New Kind of Diversity. Our conversation focuses on how to bridge the gap between generations and become more empathetic for those you serve. 
I highly recommend his book and exploring his website: growingleaders.com

Episode 290: Take a Walk: The Power of Organizational Field Trips (Process and Tool)

Too often we miss the opportunity to SHOW our teams why we need to change. Take a listen as we explore the impact of taking organizational field trips.
Where do you need to go and visit?
Describe a process you could employ to increase collective empathy and understanding.
List who needs to go on a field trip.
 
Book: The Power of Moments- Chip and Dan Heath

Episode 289: It’s Halftime! Let’s Create Some Energy for the School Year!!! (Process & Reflection)

Do you have an intentional strategy to bring energy to the staff and students as you enter the second half of the year? You do now.
Take a listen and hear a few ways in which you can provide the energy and motivation to take you through the rest of the year. 
Describe your strategy to create mid-year energy
List the activities you’ll do or do to create lift mid-year
Describe how you can energize all staff
Song: Yellow by artist Andrew Hoyt 

Episode 288: 2024- The Year of Generosity (Reflection and Process)

This year, we need to practice being better to ourselves. Take a listen as we explore a great communication process for self reflection and goal setting. Hear why we need to be more generous -- not necessarily to others -- - but to ourselves.
List ways you can increase generosity towards yourself
Describe a process you can use to set your goals
List other ways you can use this process to support others