On this episode, i am joined by Jen Thornton, a Dallas-based Gallup CliftonStrengths coach who leveraged her 20 years of HR and team development experience to start her own business, 304 Coaching, in 2017.

Jen talks about her journey from corporate HR to entrepreneurship, the challenges and rewards of starting her own business, and the passion that drove her to make the leap. She discusses the importance of building strong relationships, strategic planning in business and talent development, and her commitment to creating better work environments for a better world.

Jen also talks about the interesting backstory of her company's name, 304 Coaching, and highlights the significance of taking actions and making decisions even when not everything is perfect. Furthermore, Jen delves into topics such as hiring the right talent, building high-performance teams, leadership development, and the profound impact of reducing fear and fostering a creative mindset in the workplace, as well as the role of neuroscience in enhancing workplace culture and leadership effectiveness.

Episode Minutes:

Minute 4: Embracing Action Over Perfection

Minute16: The Power of Attitude in Leadership and Hiring

Minute 24: Neuroscience in Leadership and Workplace Wellbeing

To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

Journal your way to a life with purpose The Strengths Journal™ the only Gallup-certified planner that guides you to live in your strengths every day.

How do you lead through rapid technological change?

As we focus on the topic of leading through change this month, we’re diving into how to lead during these exciting — yet challenging — times as technological advancements reshape our workplaces.

So how can you as a leader adapt to rapidly changing technology in the workplace? This calls for leaders to be not only open-minded, but also comfortable with uncertainty. As Amy says, “Novelty is the new normal.” And it’s up to us as leaders to help our teams navigate novelty.

To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

Get your copy of The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified planner that guides you to live in your strengths every day. No more leaving your Strengths Assessment in your desk drawer. Now you can use The Strengths Journal™ to channel your unique strengths and dominate your every day!

On today's show, I welcome Steve Tang, a distinguished figure who emerged from humble beginnings as the son of Chinese immigrants to become a CEO, chairman, Author and civic leader.

Steve shares his inspiring journey, emphasizing the importance of education, resilience, and seizing opportunities in high-growth environments. He talks about leading through various crises, including 9/11, the 2008 financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the lessons learned about trust, leadership, and the need for vulnerability and humility in effective crisis management.

Steve discusses OraSure Technologies' development of a home test for COVID-19 under his leadership, illustrating the power of trust and teamwork in overcoming unprecedented challenges. He advocates for wholehearted leadership of whole people, the significance of intergenerational relationships in addressing global issues, and shares insights on managing in a hybrid work environment.

Episode Minutes:

Minute 4: Overcoming obstacles and embracing resilience

Minute 16: The Trust Formula: A New Leadership Paradigm

Minute 34: Empowering Generations: The Role Of Modern Elders

To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

Get your copy of The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified planner that guides you to live in your strengths every day. No more leaving your Strengths Assessment in your desk drawer. Now you can use The Strengths Journal™ to channel your unique strengths and dominate your every day!

A recent Gallup study shows a concerning trend: workplace engagement has plummeted to an 11-year low. As leaders, it is crucial to cultivate a culture of engagement among our teams. Yet, this goal is far from easy.

To address this challenge, we can look to companies like Spotify, who have pioneered innovative approaches to keep their employees motivated.

Remember, change begins with engagement. By cultivating an environment where every individual feels valued and empowered, you can pave the way for meaningful impact and sustained success.

To find out more about the work I do, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

Get your copy of The Strengths Journal™ the only Gallup-Certified planner that guides you to live in your strengths every day. No more leaving your Strengths Assessment in your desk drawer. Now you can use The Strengths Journal™ to channel your unique strengths and dominate your every day!

My guest today is The General manager of Daimler Truck North America and a board member and treasurer for Women in Manufacturing Joanna Cooper.

Joanna shares her unexpected path from aspiring real estate mogul to influential leader in the manufacturing industry. Despite a finance background, her career took a pivotal turn when she ventured into purchasing at Detroit Diesel, leading to a series of roles that fueled her growth and passion for manufacturing.

Opening up about personal and professional transitions, including an expatriate assignment in Germany, Joanna emphasizes the significance of saying yes to opportunities, the importance of networking, and commitment to personal growth and self-care.

Reflecting on leadership, she discusses setting clear expectations, empowering teams, and the value of understanding one's strengths and weaknesses. Joanna stresses the importance of continuous learning and self-reflection for leaders at all levels.

Episode Minutes:

Minute 5: The Power of Saying Yes: Joanna's Career Evolution

Minute 21: Leadership: Setting Expectations and Empowering Teams

Minute 33: Self-Care and Continuous Growth

To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

Get your copy of The Strengths Journal™ to channel your unique strengths and dominate your every day!

Have you started building your personal brand? Personal branding and the art of crafting a unique identity through your communication style is crucial to your role as a leader.

Your communication style serves as the foundation of your leadership brand. It's the signature that defines how you're perceived and remembered by others. As I always say, personal branding is a journey of self-discovery—it's about unearthing the brilliance within and empowering yourself to shine brightly with purpose.

As you begin to think about your personal brand and effective communication, remember that every interaction is an opportunity to shape perceptions and inspire action.

Find out more about my work at Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

Another way to start working on your personal branding is to start living in your core strengths. You can do this by utilizing The Strengths Journal™, the only daily Gallup licensed companion guide for CliftonStrengths®

Libby Wagner, a multifaceted professional who seamlessly blends her backgrounds as a poet, author, speaker, and business consultant is who I have the pleasure of having on today.

Libby shares the transformative journey from teaching English and experiencing personal loss to creating a new path in the business world. She discusses the importance of art, specifically poetry, in fostering courage, paying attention to language, and remembering humanity in business consulting.

Libby talks about meaningful and courageous conversations in leadership, touching on concepts like coaching with kindness, balancing communication between respect and accountability, and the impact of having a purposeful work life. She also highlights her role as a founding faculty member of the Institute for Conversational Leadership and offers insights into the future of multi-generational, diverse, and performance-based workplaces.

We conclude the episode with Libby reciting her poignant poem 'Diving In,' encapsulating the essence of courage and the beauty of taking bold steps.

Episode Minutes:

Minute 03: The Art of Courageous Conversations in Leadership

Minute 14: Building Trust and Engagement in the Workplace

Minute 35: The Importance of Meaningful Conversations

Find out more about Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram

Get your copy of The Strengths Journal™ to channel your unique strengths and dominate your every day!

Throughout this month, we've been exploring the critical role of communication, and today, we shine a spotlight on how intentional dialogue can elevate leadership and foster well-being within our teams.

Simon Sinek once said, "Leadership is not about being in charge, it's about taking care of those in your charge."

By embracing the power of meaningful conversations, we can elevate our leadership impact, cultivate thriving team cultures, and drive collective success. There's nothing more energizing than being part of a team where transformation is underway, fueled by connection, purpose, and empathetic leadership.

Find out more about my work at Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

Get your copy of The Strengths Journal™, the only daily Gallup licensed companion guide for CliftonStrengths®