Episode 168 – Energy units, self-care, and compassion

Episode 168 – Energy units, self-care, and compassion
by | November 20, 2020

Our lives look far different now than they were about a year ago. If there’s anything to learn from events this year, it’s the crucial importance of self-care. Every day we’re faced with situations that can mentally or physically take its toll. I’ve talked before about energy units and how they’re finite. Some of us wake up with fewer energy units because of what’s going on. The social distancing, staying at home, missing important events from family and friends, all these seemingly little things can add up and drain us. We’re constantly facing circumstances that can take energy units away
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Episode 163 – Managing good people is easy

Episode 163 – Managing good people is easy
by | October 27, 2020

A couple of years ago, we were interviewing individual employees as part of our Company Climate Inventory with a client.  During this interview, I asked the gentleman about his strengths and gifts, especially with regard to managing others.  He said, “Managing good people is easy.” “What makes someone ‘good’?” I asked. “Not lazy,” was his response. Is that really all that it is?  Just someone doing their job, and therefore managing that person is effortless? No, it takes more than that.  Listen in as I go a little deeper into defining good managers and good employees. Other podcast episodes referenced: 
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Episode 162 – The scale is relative

Episode 162 – The scale is relative
by | October 21, 2020

During a recent trip to Shenandoah National Park with my husband Mark, we talked about how scales are relative.  For example, the hiking trail guide noted that the particular hike we were doing was “easy.”  Well,  331 feet up, traversing a rock-strewn trail, I begged to differ.  My calves and glutes hurt, and I was huffing and puffing away.  How did I have such a different experience? It’s because the rating scale is relative.  The people who wrote the hiking guide were professional hikers. So, for them, the hike was easy. What does this mean for your company? One employee
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Episode 159 – What is the agenda?

Episode 159 – What is the agenda?
by | October 9, 2020

A few episodes ago, I talked about a company’s epic failure in customer service.  I’m continuing that story with its next installment.  What is the difference between a dental office and a dental school? Don’t they both deliver dental services to their patients? Yes.  What is different? Well, the desired outcome – the agenda – is different.  This is where the POM (Purpose-Outcome-Method) tool comes in very handy. We all have agendas.  When we’re more transparent around our own desired outcomes, we’re more likely to achieve success.  Problems occur when the outcome – the agenda – is hidden. What is
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Episode 151 – Having the hard conversations

Episode 151 – Having the hard conversations
by | July 28, 2020

There are all sorts of hard conversations we need to have at times: You aren’t doing enough. Your results aren’t good enough. What you’re doing offends others. No (in response to a request). You’re fired. None of those topics sounds like a fun conversation to have, so we tend to avoid them. Listen in as Dawn Shuler discusses the costs of not having those conversations, and how to actually have them with grace and a positive (for the most part) outcome. Other podcast episodes referenced:  Are you purpose-driven?, Forward motion, Standards and boundaries, Co-create
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Episode 143 – Interview with Brian Burkhart, Founder of SquarePlanet

Episode 143 – Interview with Brian Burkhart, Founder of SquarePlanet
by | May 5, 2020

In this lively episode, Dawn Shuler interviews Brian Burkhart, founder of SquarePlanet.  As the Chief Word Guy, Brian’s purpose is to elevate his clients’ core message so people remember… and take action. Why you want to listen: As a wave-maker, Brian wants to create an impact by challenging the status quo His take on authenticity and using it as a tool Who you should work with Two simple, yet powerfully effective, hacks you can use as a presenter About Brian Burkhart Brian is the founder of SquarePlanet that helps people and businesses with give a) better presentations b) communicate their
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Episode 128 – Do you know how valuable you are?

Episode 128 – Do you know how valuable you are?
by | February 18, 2020

Unfortunately, we live in a society that tells us not to toot our own horns, for fear that we might make others feel less than.  What if, instead, we could, at the same time, see how valuable we are in an organization as well as seeing how valuable our colleagues are?  What kind of magic could we create? Listen in as Dawn Shuler talks about two crucial components of understanding the value of all employees in an organization. Other podcast episodes referenced:  The Deeper Why in everything  
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Episode 127 – Do you throw your interns into the deep end?

Episode 127 – Do you throw your interns into the deep end?
by | February 12, 2020

As with any training program, an organization should consciously define and design the purpose and the desired outcome.  Is it really beneficial to either the organization or the intern him/herself to be thrown into the deep end to sink or swim?  Listen in as Dawn Shuler discusses the three main purposes of an internship program and how to create a successful outcome. Other podcast episodes mentioned:  Are you purpose driven?, Right people in the right seats, Your people desperately need training, Onboarding new hires, and Do you  send your managers to training?
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Episode 105 – Are you counteracting the din?

Episode 105 – Are you counteracting the din?
by | September 24, 2019

Do you realize the din that is all around us? Apps on our phones, news, family obligations, the cry to be healthier, even our own hobbies…. it’s a constant din. So how do you counteract it? What if you created a culture that 1) acknowledged the din, and 2) proactively advocated for reducing the din? What would that do for your engagement, productivity, and results? Other episodes referenced:  Are you purpose driven? and Why employee engagement is something you must focus on
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