Episodes

  • Surviving Career Pivots: Lessons from Feeling Misaligned
    May 14 2025

    Summary:

    Becky Chung, VP of Development at Cielo Talent, shares her pivotal career moment of realizing she picked the wrong job driven by a desire for security. Talking with Alexa Beavers, the conversation details learning from mistakes, embracing insecurities, and the importance of aligning personal and professional values. Becky emphasizes the significance of collaboration and crafting environments for mutual growth while sharing practical advice for leaders on cultivating vulnerability and using AI to aid talent development. Tune in for insightful reflections on balancing career decisions with personal life.

    Chapters:

    0:00

    Navigating Career Mistakes and Learning from Leadership Challenges

    7:11

    Balancing Inner Drives and External Pressures for Better Decisions

    9:21

    Slowing Down and Aligning Career Choices with Personal Values

    12:19

    Building Trust and Collaboration in Team Dynamics

    18:01

    Leveraging Strengths and Overcoming Insecurities in Talent Development

    21:38

    Leveraging AI and Vulnerability for Effective Leadership Development

    26:00

    Embracing Insecurity and Lifelong Learning in Leadership


    Host Alexa Beavers: linkedin.com/in/alexabeaverspmp

    Guest Becky Chung: linkedin.com/in/becky-chung

    Executive Producer Dr. Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

    Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

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    30 mins
  • When Quick Wins Backfire - How the Myth of the First 90 Days Gets us in Trouble
    May 7 2025

    Summary:

    D'Mar Phillips, VP of People and Culture at RS Americas joins Dr. Jim to discuss the myths surrounding the first 90 days in a new leadership role. Phillips shares insights from his career, emphasizing the importance of listening, observing, and learning before rushing into changes. He recounts a personal experience of misaligned expectations early in his career and how it shaped his leadership approach. The conversation explores building relationships and gaining trust within an organization, offering practical advice for aspiring leaders. Tune in to discover strategies for a successful transition into leadership roles with lasting impact.

    Chapters:

    0:00

    Rethinking First 90 Days and Building Strong Workplace Culture

    1:50

    D'Mar Phillips on Leadership, Mistakes, and Personal Growth

    3:36

    Navigating Early Career Challenges and Leadership Expectations

    6:59

    Managing Emotions and Expectations in Workplace Conflicts

    11:05

    Building Trust and Relationships in Leadership Roles

    18:32

    The Impatience of Modern Life and Technological Advancements

    19:00

    Continuous Learning and Decision-Making in Leadership Roles

    21:18

    Listen, Look, and Learn: Leadership Advice for New Roles


    Host Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

    Guest D'Mar Phillips: linkedin.com/in/dmarphillips

    Executive Producer Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

    Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

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    25 mins
  • From Self-Doubt to Self-Confidence: Navigating Your Early Career Challenges
    Apr 30 2025

    Summary:

    Dr. Jim chats with Kelsey Arico, head of client experience and brand engagement at The Axela Group. They look into early career challenges, focusing on navigating leadership without authority and the power of self-advocacy. Discover how embracing assertiveness, honing critical questioning skills, and quieting self-doubt accelerates career growth. Ideal for anyone seeking to develop their leadership story, this engaging discussion explores effective strategies for influencing and executing meaningful projects, regardless of your role or title.

    Chapters:

    0:00

    Navigating Leadership Without Authority and Learning From Mistakes

    3:33

    Navigating Leadership Without Authority and Building Credibility

    10:44

    Building Confidence Through Support and Confrontation

    11:12

    Collaborative Efforts in Large-Scale Initiatives

    12:28

    Claiming Leadership Without Authority in Career Development

    16:22

    Quieting Self-Talk and Embracing Personal Strengths

    17:46

    Navigating Career Growth Through Vulnerability and Strategic Questioning

    23:53

    Balancing Assertiveness and Leadership Without Aggression

    26:57

    Effective Communication and Accountability in Leadership Roles

    29:32

    The Importance of Asking Questions in Career Development


    Host Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

    Guest Kelsey Arico: linkedin.com/in/kelsey-arico-775b772b

    Executive Producer Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

    Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

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    33 mins
  • How Silence Sabotaged Our Success
    Apr 23 2025

    Summary:

    Craig Beavers, COO of Axela Group and former fire and rescue battalion chief, joins Dr. Jim to discuss navigating organizational transformation. Reflecting on past leadership missteps, Craig highlights the importance of communication, employee buy-in, and strategic planning in change management. He emphasizes the need for robust training and creating a leadership presence to ensure successful initiatives. This episode offers valuable lessons on overcoming blind spots and building organizational playbooks to guide leaders through effective change processes. Tune in to gain insights from Craig’s extensive experience in public service and leadership.

    Chapters:

    0:00

    Lessons in Leadership and Communication from Craig Beavers

    3:51

    Challenges in Fire Department Operational Overhaul

    8:55

    The Importance of Communication and Buy-In in Organizational Change

    12:23

    Improving Leadership Through Training and Development in Organizations

    14:39

    Leadership Lessons on Change Management and Organizational Success


    Host Dr. Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

    Guest Craig Beavers: linkedin.com/in/craig-beavers-49b7129

    Executive Producer Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

    Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

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    21 mins
  • How Communication Fiascos Transformed My Leadership Approach
    Apr 16 2025

    Summary:

    Join Dr. Jim and Alexa Beavers, founder and CEO of The Axela Group, as they chat about the art of strategic communication in leadership. Discover how Alexa navigated a communication misstep and transformed her approach to consulting. This episode explores the importance of pacing, crafting impactful messages, and aligning action with words. Learn about frameworks like "Know, Do, Feel" and the PACE plan to better plan for success. Tune in for insights on how a miscommunication taught valuable lessons about deliberate, strategic engagement in fast-paced environments.

    Chapters:

    0:00

    Avoiding Pitfalls of Rushing Leadership Decisions

    1:57

    Alexa Bevers: Transformative Leadership and Coaching Excellence

    3:02

    The Impact of Communication Missteps in Corporate Initiatives

    9:34

    Balancing Direct Communication with Empathy and Connection

    11:33

    Balancing Activity and Outcome for Long-Term Success

    12:59

    Balancing Task and Human Focus in Client Partnerships

    16:46

    Adapting Leadership Strategies for Fast-Paced Environments

    22:53

    Strategic Planning: Slow Down to Speed Up


    Host Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

    Guest Alexa Beavers: linkedin.com/in/alexabeaverspmp

    Executive Producer Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

    Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

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    27 mins
  • Leadership 101: Crafting a Unified Vision that Inspires Action
    Apr 9 2025

    Summary:

    Craig Beavers explores the nuances of effective leadership, emphasizing the transformation of talented individuals into cohesive teams. He delves into the importance of a shared purpose, trust-building, and role clarity. Beavers highlights the significance of open communication and regular feedback, while also noting the value of celebrating achievements together. Throughout the discussion, he underscores the role of a leader in fostering a culture of accountability and shared ownership, ultimately unlocking a team’s full potential. Tune in for insights on creating high-performing teams that achieve more collectively than alone.

    Chapters:

    0:00

    Importance of Team Building in Leadership

    0:22

    Creating a Shared Purpose

    0:45

    Building Trust Within the Team

    1:11

    Clarity of Roles and Responsibilities

    1:41

    Continuous and Open Communication

    2:06

    Celebrating Wins and Building Belonging

    2:30

    Conclusion and Further Learning Opportunities


    Host Craig Beavers: linkedin.com/in/craig-beavers-49b7129

    Executive Producer Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

    Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

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    4 mins
  • Breaking the Bottleneck: Transitioning from Expert to Leader
    Apr 9 2025

    Summary:

    Craig Beavers explores the complex transition from management to leadership, emphasizing the importance of empowering teams rather than exerting control. He discusses stepping back from expert roles, trusting the process, and inspiring through vision and influence. This episode highlights the shift from task management to relationship-building, ultimately fostering team growth and long-term success. Listen to insights on developing one's capacity to lead authentically and sustainably. Follow the Transformation Unfiltered podcast for more leadership insights, and connect via LinkedIn or acceleragroup.com for further engagement.

    Chapters:

    0:00

    Transitioning From Managing to Leading in Leadership Roles

    0:51

    Transformational Leadership Focuses on Trust and Developing Others

    1:42

    From Task Management to Inspiring Leadership

    Host Craig Beavers: linkedin.com/in/craig-beavers-49b7129

    Executive Producer Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

    Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

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    4 mins
  • How Perfectionism Paralyzes Progress
    Apr 9 2025

    Summary:

    Alexa Beavers explores the transformative power of risk-taking in leadership, challenging the notion of perfection and embracing the growth that comes from pushing boundaries. Through compelling anecdotes, she contrasts leaders who stand still due to fear with those who drive impactful change by embracing vulnerability and evolution. Beavers argues for the importance of progress over perfection, valuing honesty, collaboration, and feedback. This episode will inspire you to redefine leadership beyond optics and towards genuine impact, encouraging a mindset shift from fear of failure to a focus on continuous growth.

    Chapters:

    0:00

    Embrace Foolishness to Overcome Fear and Foster Growth

    0:24

    Risk-Taking Leadership Versus Fear of Failure

    0:48

    The Power of Embracing Imperfection and Inviting Collaboration

    1:42

    Leadership Is About Progress Not Perfection


    Host Alexa Beavers: linkedin.com/in/alexabeaverspmp

    Executive Producer Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

    Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

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    3 mins