In this episode of Water Cooler Wisdom, we’re joined by leadership coach Susan DeGenring to explore how the ancient traditions of mindfulness and the Enneagram can be used to enhance leadership and personal development. Susan shares insights on how these tools help leaders and individuals better understand their personality patterns, improve self-awareness, and navigate challenges in the workplace. Tune in to discover practical strategies for integrating mindfulness and the Enneagram into your leadership toolkit.

Mindfulness and the Enneagram: Tools for Transforming Leadership

In this episode of Water Cooler Wisdom, hosts Jake Blocker and Rachael Grail explore the art of facilitation. Whether you’re leading a meeting or guiding a discussion, managing group dynamics can be challenging. Rachael, a seasoned facilitator, tackles common questions about handling dominant voices, managing senior leaders in meetings, and dealing with disruptive participants.

Rachael shares practical techniques to ensure every voice is heard and the discussion remains productive. She emphasizes the importance of preparation, setting clear participation guidelines, and staying curious about the group’s needs. Whether you’re new to facilitation or experienced, this episode offers tips to enhance your skills and create more effective meetings.

Facilitation Masterclass Q&A: Part 1

In this episode of “Water Cooler Wisdom,” we sit down with Stacy Ferratti, a seasoned coach from Interaction Associates, renowned for enhancing presentation skills. Stacy delves into the challenge of stage fright, explaining its roots in our evolutionary fear of rejection and offering practical tips to overcome it.

Discover why silence during presentations can feel daunting and how embracing pauses can enhance your message. Learn about the importance of body language, breathing techniques, and mental shifts that can transform your public speaking approach. Stacy shares effective strategies, such as engaging with the audience early and practicing with video feedback.

Join us for this insightful conversation and equip yourself with tools to boost your confidence and effectiveness on stage. Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or looking to overcome your fear of public speaking, this episode offers practical advice and inspiration to elevate your stage presence.

References:
Expensify [https://www.expensify.com/]

Public Speaking: Breaking Down this Common Fear

On this episode, Jake and Rachael dive into the world of corporate buzzwords, starting with the quintessential term: “Synergy.” Join us as we explore the origins of this powerful word, its journey through different contexts—from theological cooperation to medical marvels and finally to the business lexicon.

Jake and Rachel discuss how synergy has been both a beacon of collaborative potential and an overused crutch in corporate jargon. Through an insightful and humorous conversation, they shed light on its true meaning, its misuse, and whether it still holds relevance in today’s business environment.

Tune in for a refreshing take on synergy, complete with historical insights, real-world examples, and practical advice on using language more effectively in the workplace. Whether you’re a synergy skeptic or a true believer, this episode promises to offer valuable perspectives and a few laughs along the way.

Beyond the Buzzword: Synergy

In this enlightening episode of "Water Cooler Wisdom," we sit down with Anne Baker, a career and performance coach with over two decades of experience. Anne shares her invaluable insights on navigating the dynamic job market, leveraging your unique superpowers, and becoming the CEO of your career. Whether you're considering a career change, seeking new opportunities, or looking to enhance your professional journey, Anne's practical advice and strategic tips will empower you to take control and thrive. 

Tune in to discover how to identify your core values, build a resilient network, and effectively market yourself in today's competitive landscape. Plus, Anne discusses the impact of AI on job requirements and the hidden job market, offering a fresh perspective on finding meaningful work in an ever-evolving world.

References:
Getting to Yes - William Ury [https://www.williamury.com/getting-to-yes/]

Mastering the Modern Job Market: Tips for Success

Join us on "Water Cooler Wisdom" as we delve into the state of leadership coaching with Executive Coach Rachel Bassignani. Rachel, founder of Catalyst, brings her 15 years of experience in scaling global organizations to discuss the challenges leaders face today. 

From layoffs and strategic shifts to the rise of AI, discover how executive coaching can empower leaders to excel amidst change. Learn how Rachel's expertise in organizational development and entrepreneurship helps high-growth tech founders and venture capital firms retain top talent.

Resources Mentioned:
Grammarly App [https://www.grammarly.com/]
Books by Carl Jung [https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/carl-jung]

Leadership Evolution: Coaching for Today's Change

In this episode we dive into the topic of mindfulness at work with special guest Larry Rosenberg, a senior consultant at Interaction Associates. Larry brings over 30 years of experience in leadership coaching, change management, and business process improvement.

Feeling overwhelmed and burnt out at work? Larry shares insights on why many of us feel constantly stressed and how mindfulness can help us regain control and improve our well-being. From defining what it means to be mindful to exploring practical tips like mindful breathing, yoga, and meditation, this episode offers valuable strategies to help you stay present and effective in your daily life.

Larry also highlights the impact of chronic stress on our bodies and minds and discusses the benefits of incorporating mindfulness practices into our routines. Whether you're new to mindfulness or looking to deepen your practice, this conversation provides a comprehensive guide to managing stress and enhancing your overall productivity and health.

Resources Mentioned:
WorkFlowy App [https://workflowy.com/]
Be Your Future Self Now by Dr. Benjamin Hardy [https://www.hayhouse.com/be-your-future-self-now-paperback]
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey [https://www.franklincovey.com/the-7-habits/]

Reconnecting with Yourself Amid the Daily Hustle

In this episode we'll explore the challenge of giving feedback to your boss with Beth O'Neill, a seasoned coach and leader. Beth shares strategies for building trust, framing feedback effectively, and handling defensiveness. Learn to navigate this delicate process and improve your workplace communication. Tune in and enhance your workplace communication skills!

References from Episode:
Genius Scan App [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/scanner-app-genius-scan/id377672876]
Atomic Habits - James Clear [https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits]

Feedback Without Freakout: Talking To Your Boss

In this episode of Water Cooler Wisdom, we welcome Jay Cone and Lisa Weaver, co-founders of Unstuck Minds, to explore the essential leadership skill of Attention Agility.

Jay and Lisa bring their extensive experience in organizational change and executive coaching to discuss how leaders can adeptly navigate complex and uncertain environments. Learn about the SCAN framework, designed to enhance decision-making and strategic thinking by broadening leaders' perspectives beyond conventional approaches. 

This discussion is packed with actionable insights for anyone looking to lead more effectively in today’s dynamic world.

References in this Episode:
Pi.ai (link [https://pi.ai/onboarding])
Synchronicity - Joseph Jaworski (link [https://josephjaworskisynchronicity.com/])
Man Search for Meaning - Viktor E. Frankl (link [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mans-search-for-meaning-viktor-e-frankl/1116930713])

Leadership In Motion: The Power of Attention Agility

In this episode we welcome back Chris Williams, Chief Operating Officer at Interaction Associates, to redefine what it means to be truly productive in today's fast-paced world. 

Chris discusses his unique perspective on productivity as a state of achieving significant and valuable results, rather than just a measure of time spent on tasks. With intriguing examples from various industries, Chris illustrates how productivity should focus on outcomes, not just activities.

Gain a fresh understanding of productivity through the "RPR framework" and how it can be applied across different sectors. Tune in to transform your approach to work and start producing results that truly matter.

References for Episode:
Getting Things Done - David Allen [https://gettingthingsdone.com/]
Cal Newport Books [https://calnewport.com/writing/]
7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey [http://www.franklincovey.com/books/the-7-habits-of-highly-effective-people/]
The Four Hour Work Week - Tim Ferriss [https://fourhourworkweek.com/]
Atomic Habits - James Clear [https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits]
Drive - Daniel Pink [https://www.danpink.com/books/drive/]

You’re Measuring Productivity Wrong: Rethinking Productivity

Welcome to "Water Cooler Wisdom" – the bi-weekly podcast that brings the heart of the office to your ears, wherever you are! 🎧 Every other week, we dive into the buzz of the workplace, offering productivity hacks, team-building insights, and tales that resonate with anyone who's ever set foot in an office or logged in from home.

Hit 'Subscribe' to join our tribe and elevate your workdays. Together, let's turn the ordinary office banter into extraordinary insights and shared experiences. Join us and make every moment as enriching as those around the water cooler – no matter where you are! 