Activating Hope Podcast

Facing unprecedented levels of disruption, anxiety, and ambiguity, leaders in your organization need more support and direction now than ever before. Coaching is critical. But “coaching” means different things to different people and can vary greatly in its effectiveness depending on the methods and strategies used. How can you be intentional in creating a coaching culture? How can you incorporate objective data into the coaching process to increase impact? In this episode of Activating HOPE we’ll discuss methods for creating a data-supported coaching culture that yields measurable results.Takeaways360 feedback is essential for achieving behavior change.Buy-in from individuals is crucial for effective coaching.Data-driven insights help create targeted development plans.360 feedback provides a consensus that is hard to ignore.Understanding the impact of behaviors is key to leadership development.Alignment between self-perception and external feedback is often lacking.Organizational culture can be assessed through aggregated 360 data.Training should be based on data, not assumptions.A multi-method approach to assessments yields better results.Understanding motivations behind behaviors is critical for change. Understanding leadership behaviors requires a multifaceted approach.360 assessments can effectively measure coaching impact.Coaching readiness can be assessed through various tools.Job fit is crucial for successful coaching outcomes.Assessments should be used to foster a positive coaching culture.Building trust through assessments can expedite coaching relationships.Choosing the right assessment tools is essential for effective development.Data-driven decisions enhance coaching effectiveness.Organizations must be intentional about their assessment strategies.Assessments can provide valuable insights into employee development.

Emotional intelligence (EI) or emotional quotient (EQ) has become increasingly important in the age of AI. It is vital in fostering empathy, ethical decision-making, and collaboration. While AI is excellent at tasks that involve logical reasoning and data analysis, it lacks the ability to understand and respond to human emotions. EI bridges this gap by enabling individuals to recognize, understand, and manage emotions, leading to more meaningful relationships. During this episode of Activating HOPE with Dr. Robin Hinkle, we’ll discuss the importance of EI becoming more relevant in the current landscape, where technology, particularly AI, is transforming how we interact, work, and live.TakeawaysEmotional intelligence (EI) is crucial for effective leadership.EI involves recognizing and managing emotions in oneself and others.Self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence.Emotional reasoning helps guide decision-making.Understanding emotions can improve communication and relationships.Emotions should be viewed as data points, not just feelings.Self-management is key to regulating emotional responses.Leaders should seek feedback to enhance their emotional skills.Developing a vocabulary for emotions aids in self-awareness.Emotional intelligence can be learned and improved over time. Developing emotional vocabulary enhances communication.Empathy fosters deeper connections than sympathy.Empathy in leadership can improve team dynamics.Self-awareness is crucial for effective communication.Empathy can lead to better outcomes in professional settings.Balancing empathy and task completion is essential.AI tools can assist but cannot replace emotional intelligence.Face-to-face interactions are vital for emotional connection.Miscommunication can lead to unnecessary conflict.Leaders must actively check in with their teams.

With the ease of digital communication at anyone’s fingertips and many professionals transitioning to work-from-home, the way an individual communicates online is more important than ever before. In this episode of Activating HOPE, we’ll chat with keynote speaker and communication coach, Dr. Ali Atkison, about her latest guide for personal success, How’s Your Computer-side Manner? The 9 Digital Communication Mistakes You’re Making That Are Holding You Back. In this book, Atkison explains how to blend one’s “in-person” self with their digital self, in order to put their best foot forward in an ever-changing digital landscape. Thanks Dr. Atkinson for being with us…

Disrespect is everywhere. It is often represented as powerful, liberating, and even fun. It has become the drug of choice for large parts of our culture, and it is amplified on digital social platforms. It is leaking into the technologically connected, geographically dispersed workforce of the 21st century. Leaders must learn how to lead with respect to capture the best value of teamwork.TakeawaysRespect is fundamental to workplace efficiency and engagement.Leaders must model respectful behavior to set the tone for the organization.Disrespect can manifest in both overt and subtle ways.Feedback should never be a surprise; it should be part of ongoing conversations.Coddling is not the same as respect; respect can be direct and constructive.Trust is a prerequisite for respect in any relationship.Emotional intelligence is crucial for leaders to navigate respect.Respect should be given from the start, not earned after the fact.Open communication can help address disrespectful behavior.Developing self-awareness is key to improving respect in leadership. Building trusting relationships enhances feedback and leadership effectiveness.Respect in leadership must start from the top and be modeled by all.Success stories often arise from one-on-one coaching and mindset shifts.Leaders must be aware of the culture they are creating and replicating.Post-COVID workplaces may be less respectful due to remote work dynamics.Clear communication is vital for effective leadership and respect.Personal accountability is crucial for leaders and their teams.Setting explicit expectations for respect fosters a positive environment.Intentional leadership is necessary to maintain respect in the workplace.Common sense practices in leadership are often overlooked but essential.

Leaders and employees dread performance reviews and ways to check on progress to goals. What’s wrong with performance management? It’s not you – or the system. It’s how leaders and employees gather information, data, real-work examples, and then create meaningful conversations that actually improve performance.During this episode of Activating HOPE with Jeff Nally, we’ll discuss what makes performance management systems actually help leaders and employees improve performance, and which ones ensure employees will always underperform and fail. It's not rocket science, but simple brain science that improves employee performance. And there's an art to crafting leader/employee conversations to deepen engagement, motivate employees, and ensure peak performance. Bring your brain, your curiosity, your past experiences with failed performance management systems, and get ready to create a new, proven approach to employee performance.

SummaryIn this conversation, Dr. Brad Shuck discusses the evolving landscape of employee engagement, particularly in the wake of COVID-19.He highlights how the integration of personal and professional lives has shifted the value proposition of work, leading to a more transactional nature of employment. The discussion also delves into the importance of intentionality in remote work, the connection between employee engagement and health, and the critical role of organizational culture and leadership in fostering a supportive work environment. Dr. Schuck emphasizes that leaders must model healthy behaviors and prioritize employee well-being to create a culture that encourages engagement and productivity.In this conversation, Brad Shuck and Ed Directions explore the evolving landscape of employee engagement, emphasizing the importance of individual experiences and the role of data in understanding engagement levels. They discuss the impact of AI on work processes, the necessity of redefining engagement and leadership, and the significance of creating supportive environments where employees feel valued. The conversation also touches on the future of work, the need for upskilling, and the importance of hope and connection in leadership.TakeawaysEmployee engagement has significantly changed post-COVID.The value proposition of work has shifted towards personal fulfillment.Work can feel transactional rather than transformational now.Intentionality is crucial for remote employee engagement.Employee engagement is linked to mental and physical health.Organizational culture plays a key role in wellness benefits usage.Leaders must model healthy behaviors for their teams.Scheduling self-care is essential for maintaining well-being.Engaged employees show lower health risks over time.Connection and belonging are central to employee engagement. Employees want their unique experiences and voices heard.AI can enhance human capacity and relationships.Engagement is not a constant; it has natural ebbs and flows.Creating a supportive environment is crucial for employee well-being.Leaders should check in with their teams regularly.Celebrating small milestones can significantly boost morale.Hope is essential for a positive workplace culture.Learning velocity may become a key skill in the future.Redefining what good work means is necessary for future engagement.Connection and support can help individuals through tough times.

:60 second overview of the Activating Hope podcast!