My guest today is Cassandra Goodman, founder of the Centre For Self-Fidelity and the author of two insightful books, including her latest release, "Being True: How to Be Yourself at Work." We’re talking today about being your true self in the workplace, some of the reasons why many people lose their sense of identity and how we can reconnect with our authentic selves.

Cassandra’s mission is truly inspiring. Through coaching, workshops, keynote speaking and her books, she aims to empower busy, big-hearted individuals to rediscover their true selves within the often demanding confines of the workplace.

In this conversation, Cassandra shares how, as a child, she attached her self-worth to her achievements rather than her true self, which ultimately caused her to suffer and behave in ways that contradicted her core values.

She explains why people often lose touch with their true nature, trading authenticity for attachment during their formative years. We talk about the fact that these habits and stories need to be challenged so that we can operate out of our authentic nature and not base our identity on external factors.

We also tackle the dilemma of people often feeling compelled to be someone different at work in order to fit in or advance their careers. People are often trapped in this situation due to financial pressures but Cassandra emphasises the importance of evaluating the personal cost and devising a plan to transition to a more compatible workplace.

When it comes to self-worth, recognising that we have placed too much emphasis on external factors can be confronting. Shifting from external validation to internal validation requires a leap of faith and Cassandra shares her advice on how to tap into our own energy source through playfulness and self-awareness.

Connect with Cassandra Goodman:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandra-goodman/

Website: https://www.self-fidelity.com/

Book: Being True

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today I’m joined by the wonderful and inspiring Jo Gaines, a seasoned professional who has worked in the technology and media sector for over two decades. Jo's career journey has seen her work for high-profile companies including CBS, Krux, Yahoo and more recently, as Area Vice President of Salesforce. Jo is also a dedicated mother-of-two and a fierce advocate for equality, lending her support as an ambassador for women's shelters. She shares with us her journey through hardship to finding resilience and how changing her mindset helped reshape her story.

Through facing a challenging turning point in her career due to redundancy, Jo embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery that saw her turn to practices such as weight training, breathwork and meditation. She shares the new mindset she adopted through these practices, and how her determination to thrive in the face of uncertainty led to a completely new outlook on life.

In our conversation, Jo shares the grief she experienced when her role at Salesforce came to an end, and how lost she felt when it came to her future. However, she notes there are two choices we can make when it comes to facing adversity. Either we can see it as a downfall, or treat it as an opportunity to expand. Jo chose the latter, and decided to view this new path as one she was destined to be on.

Resilience can often be misunderstood as a suppression of emotions or ignoring our problems. However, we define what resilience really is and discuss its ability to help effectively manage our thoughts and feelings. Jo believes that releasing control and trusting everything will eventually work out can free us from fear and the temptation to give up.

We talk about how navigating through our own life challenges produces empathy, and when we view others through this lens, we become more effective leaders. Recognising that everyone experiences change, particularly in a post-pandemic world, we’re able to rally with our team and prioritise their wellbeing. How can we communicate in a way that resonates for each individual? How do we lead in a way that not only gets them through, but also builds resilience?

Jo also shares her shift in perspective that inspired her to live more fully in the present and pursue the passions that had been sitting on the backburner for too long. She talks about the bucket list she created and the importance of making time and space in life to achieve each goal.

Jo's story is a powerful testament to the transformation resilience can create, and the potential for growth when we embrace change with gratitude. I just know you’ll be as inspired as I was by Jo’s incredible wisdom, and hope you find confidence to implement strategies for a full and rewarding life in leadership and beyond.

LINKS

Connect with Jo Gaines

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/jogaines

Instagram: @gogaino

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, I want to dive into a topic that's not only close to my heart but also incredibly relevant in today's world – resilience. Now, this isn’t a skill reserved for a select few; it’s something we can all develop. In this episode, I share with you five tips that I’ve personally found to be powerful in building that resilience muscle.

Resilience is all about how you respond to challenges, and it's closely tied to your mindset. When life isn’t fair, it can be tempting to face challenges by blaming others or seeking the easy way out. However, taking responsibility for the way you act and react can support you in regaining control over your own life.

So, join me as I share my five tips that you can implement in your life to help build resilience:

1. Reframe Your Perspective: Is there another way to view your situation? Look for different angles and opportunities within the challenge.
2. Seek Support: Reach out to someone who can provide insights - sometimes others can offer solutions you can’t see yourself.
3. Focus on What You Can Control: In life, there’s often only one thing you can control - yourself. Take charge of how you respond and the actions you can take.
4. Manage Your Wellbeing: Prioritise your mental health and adopt daily practices to support your mindset and overcome a negative outlook.
5. Take Risks: It may sound counterintuitive, but resilience grows when you push yourself out of your comfort zone and navigate the outcomes, even if they don’t turn out as planned.

Remember, you've experienced challenges before, and you’re still here. You’ve already demonstrated that resilience by finding your way through. Reflect on your past and you'll discover a reservoir of strength within yourself, empowering you to thrive and grow through the uncertainty of life.

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.