The Smart Thinking Podcast

Episode 280: Unspoken Expectations Can Never Be Met (Process and Leadership)

In your life and leadership, how many unwritten rules do you have? Take a listen to a process that will support you getting a clearer set of working expectations for those you love and serve.
We too often have expectations for people that they are not even aware of. Let's get them out and increase success. 
 
List the person you need to try "should or shouldn’t" with
Describe your unwritten rules for others
List the places this needs to be employed

Episode 279: Five Books For Fall 2023 (Leadership)

Leaders are readers and readers lead by sharing their learning. Here are five books for you for this fall. One to help with decision making, one to help with perspective, one to help develop as a leader, one to help your mindset, and one to build your capacity to support others through reflection. 
 
The Art of Clear Thinking (Leadership and Decision Making)
The Noticer (Empathy and Leadership)
The Leap to Leader (Leadership, Leadership, & Strategy)
Yes to Life (Mindset & Leadership)
Just Because (Life and Leadership) 

Episode 278: Leaders Are The Biggest Fan (Reflection)

Being a fan of those around you is a leadership quality. Join us for a reflection of the key characteristics of great fans. Great fans are constantly cheering for you, promoting you and guiding you. 
 
List the people you’re a fan of.
Describe how you are as a fan for others.
List who’s in your fan club.

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