The Smart Thinking Podcast

Episode 277: Parenting 101: Reflections (Wisdom)

Parenting can be so difficult and rewarding all at once. Take a listen as we reflect on how to support your children with great parenting skills.
 
 

Episode 276: Caution: Change Ahead. The Chesterton Principle (Process and Reflection)

Driving change and being thoughtful are critical in change management. Change often fails because we are not intentional in investigating why things exist before we change them.
Take a listen and learn away to avoid this mistake. 
Describe where you can institute the Chesterton principle
List decisions you’re facing that could apply the principle.
Identify a lesson you’ve learned from breaking the principle.

Episode 275: Advocate For You - A Me & We Process (Tool)

Being yourself is difficult. Listen as we share a process to speed transitions and support authenticity so that more people are successful. This is a simple process that will accelerate relationships, trust, and collaboration. 

Episode 274: Empathy: Lessons From An Unlikely Leadership Text (Reflection)

Leadership lessons are everywhere - -well that is of course if you're looking. This week join us for a discussion on the power of empathy and the lessons learned from a young adult fiction novel. Empathy is a key driver in supporting the success of others. 
Describe how you practice empathy 
List your empathy reflective questions
Describe to yourself what it would be like to be YOU today in the eyes of others. 
 
Book: Unteachables by Gordon Korman 

Episode 273: Focus on the Asset (Reflection & Tool)

Need a framework for focusing on the positives? Take a listen as we explore asset v. deficit thinking and the impact it has on the world around you! Smart Thinkers - -they bet on the strengths of others! 
 
Describe your habit. Do you lean asset based or deficit based?
List those in your life that would benefit from hearing more about their assets.
Describe how you can be a better leader by focusing on your own assets. 
 

Episode 272: This Year: Balance and Boundaries (Tool & Process)

It is time for us to create the conditions for success in communications in schools. Flexibility/freedom & protections/permissions.
 
Listen as we explore two f's and two p's and how to use a tool to set expectations and create empowered and engaged staff! 
 
List the boundaries you can establish for yourself and others
Describe a process you can use to collect your cultures communication needs and expectations
List one communication habit you need to address in yourself…. Like emailing people at 1:00am
 

Episode 271: The Reboot Checklist: Catch Yourself Before Burning Out (Reflection & Leadership)

What is your process to monitor your life? How are you proactively stopping yourself from burning out?
Take a listen as we discuss the symptoms, signs and solutions for burnout and share a process for you to check yourself! 
Describe the behaviors you have when you know you need a reboot
List your processes for reducing stress and being present
Describe a time when you needed a reboot

Episode 270: Summer Reads, Listens, and Reflections (Leadership & Growth)

Here are four books to read and two artists to listen to this summer.
Books:
The School of Life: Confidence
Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More With Less
The Wisdom of the Bullfrog: Leadership Made Simple (But Not Easy)
Be Your Future Self Now
Listen:
Ben Folds: What Matters Most
Inhaler: Cuts and Bruises 

Episode 269: Take The Risk and Live In A State of Gratitude: A Recipe For Transition and Graduation (Reflection & Leadership)

What is your message to those in transition and graduating? Take a listen as we break down the four areas to focus on to support others to be the best version of themselves and help you. 
 
These are the prompts to add into your graduation cards or notes to those you serve: 
Describe what frustrated you this year and how you will avoid that in the future. (Frustrations)
Analyze the opportunities you have this coming year and describe how you will take advantage of them. (Risks)
Identify a regret and explain how you will work to overcome that in the future. (Attack Regrets) 
List the people who have gotten you to this point. (Gratitude) 

Episode 268: A Great Relationship is 70/30! (Reflection & Leadership)

What are the keys to a great relationship?
 
Simple- give and take as needed, don't keep a scorecard, the playground rule of "do over's" and traditions. Take a listen as we explore those tenants and learn a bit about how to improve your relationships with those you serve and love. 
 
Describe relationships that help you
List the people you can serve better with the 70/30 principle
Develop a code to support others – like “do over”