Work Smart Club - SoundSage

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The digital age comes with constant change and therefore, you need to be adaptable as a leader so that your team’s sense of normal is flexible. Today on the Work Smart Club podcast, we are discussing why the idea of ‘normal’ changes all the time and how you can manage differently to suit our changing world. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about why you need to think in processes, not people, the importance of knowing your value stream, including your team in problem-solving, and how to evaluate your processes to solve problems. We even discuss the importance of remaining curious as a leader and having curious employees before we delve into how you can combat any resistance to uncertainty you may be experiencing. To hear more about how you can lead in a world where even the way you change things is changing, join us now!

Key Points From This Episode:

The opposing demands leaders have to manage.
The mindset shift leaders have to make in business structures and management.
The importance of thinking in processes and not people.
Why leaders need to know their value streams.
Questions to consider when learning about your value stream.
Why leaders are burning out faster nowadays.
A way to think differently about how to manage: bring the team into the problem-solving effort.
How to evaluate your processes and challenges as a leader to make changes.
Why the digital age brings constant change and, therefore, ever-changing normality.
Why you want to have curious employees.
A reminder to look inward and see if there is any resistance from within.
How you can handle uncertainty.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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Your perspective is guaranteed to influence how you approach situations. In this episode, Dr. Cynthia Howard comments on the four core perspectives any leader needs, regardless of where you are on the company ladder. We discuss the impact of our early life experiences, our shifts in perspective, and how this all connects when you try and leverage your leadership. Dr. Howard goes on to define leadership, what leadership means to her, and the attributes a good leader holds, as well as the four key perspectives: mindset, organization, balance, and process perspective. Plus, she talks about looking forward to the future, managing the all-time high levels of distraction, checking in with yourself by doing a perspective inventory, and more. Tune in to hear why perspective is the biggest factor contributing to a leader's success!

Key Points From This Episode:

Dr. Howard defines leadership: vision, modeling, encouraging change, and focus.
Factors to consider when developing your leadership skills.
Consistency: the biggest factor towards success.
The importance of good people skills.
Four key perspectives: competency, organization, balance, and process.
What competency means within a business.
A system-wide view as a method of organization.
How communication differs in specific situations and business settings.
What it means to have balance, why it is a critical skill, and the different areas it is necessary.
Why you need consistent, quality processes in place.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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You may, somewhere deep down, know that relationships are the most important thing in your life. In this episode, Dr. Cynthia Howard shares information about the lasting impact of relationships on the success of our lives and how staying focused on them will be what you need to stay grounded when life feels like it may be falling apart. Dr. Howard talks about the different kinds of relationships you can have, how you can look after them, and why they are so important to make time for. Reflecting on the pandemic and how it shifted our sense of normal, Dr. Howard comments on keeping your sense of balance, spending time doing what matters most, and why your relationship with God and Jesus is of the most importance. Plus, you will hear about how to manage a change in your normal, keeping your heart open to the supernatural, the power of faith, and where to place your focus. Tune in to hear Dr. Howard's Psalm of the year and how, at the end of the day, everything in life comes down to love!

Key Points From This Episode:

Dr. Howard shares some research on the impact of relationships on life.
Dr. Howard's experience working in hospice.
Different kinds of relationships you can have.
Why relationships are the most important part of your life.
The different stages and phases in a person's life: building and sustaining.
Why the pandemic disrupted the population's sense of balance and shift in sense of normal.
How to stay grounded/balanced when the world is shaking.
The importance of God and your relationship with Him and Jesus.
The meaning of love and heaven on earth.
The Psalm for the year!
How to deal with fear and why we should ‘fear not’.
Dr. Howard shares her beliefs on faith and how to enter/grow a relationship with Jesus.
Love as a future-focused, progressive state of mind.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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Everyone wants to make a difference, but how do you actually see your dream become a reality? It all begins with defining the difference you want to make: spell it out so clearly that the people around you can feel it happening. Not sure how to get there? Luckily, Cynthia Howard has questions and advice to help you create your vision and avoid being stuck in the grind of making more money. Cynthia discusses how to cultivate ownership, raise the standards, and ensure a culture of excellence, all while explaining how to avoid falling into the trap of complacency. Plus, she explores three important relationships you need to focus on, prioritize, and intentionally build.

Key Points From This Episode:

Four tips to make a difference and positive impact.
How to avoid forgetting the difference you want to make.
Questions to help you define the difference you want to make.
How to create your vision.
The importance of accountability to build a culture of excellence.
How to manage mistakes and make intuitive decisions.
Three critical relationships to build on.
Why you need to prioritize consistency.
How to successfully create a network.
Why making an effort is never wasted energy.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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Leverage is all about putting the right amount of pressure on the right spot at the right time. Leveraging your leadership is much the same as it requires you to constantly evaluate what your team needs and when, and then deliver to them what is required to ensure the entire group’s success. Today we will be taking a look at how you can build high-performing teams in three steps, how creating and adhering to one standard will give you the advantage, why it’s wise to constantly shift your focal point, and how creativity and innovation flourish in environments that are standardized and disciplined. We then debunk some myths about coaching in leadership as we come to understand why consistency is non-negotiable, before learning that success isn’t really magic and that every good leader always gives their team a clear direction to follow. To find out why self-evaluation should be constant and why progress matters more than perfection, tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

Introducing today’s topic: ways to leverage your leadership.
Creating standardized systems to ensure repeated success.
Learning to operate in line with your strengths.
Constantly moving the focal point to whatever is most important at that time.
Focusing on processes instead of personalities.
Having the discipline to adhere to the company standard.
How creativity and innovation flourish in environments that are standardized and disciplined.
The often misunderstood function of coaching in leadership.
Why leaders need to establish formulas in their workflow.
Building consistency into standardized processes.
The reasons why success is not magic.
Why it’s vital for a leader to give clear directions and how it benefits everyone involved.
The importance of always evaluating and reevaluating your performance and systems.
Progress versus perfection.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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In the uncertainty and ambiguity of the information war that we find ourselves in, only one thing in the workplace remains constant: rapid change. “Normal“ is now a distant memory as every day we are faced with new obstacles and challenges that test our every resolve. The key, then, is resilience, and more specifically, building systems of resilience that will allow us to successfully navigate every unforeseeable twist and turn. Resilience is often overlooked, misunderstood, and as a skill, underused. So today, we will be breaking down 5 key steps that will allow you to measure and monitor resilience in your workflow. We discuss the importance of planning and prioritizing, the ripple effect and how it pertains to workflow, the undeniable value of optimism, and why we need to change the very way that we think and problem-solve. If you have emotional agility, a clear understanding of KPIs and other metrics, and accept that rapid change is the new normal, then you’ll be one step closer to building a system of resilience that will allow you to triumph over the unknown.

Key Points From This Episode:

The uncertainty and ambiguity of the information war that we find ourselves in.
Why “normal” is no longer possible.
Resilience as an understated and underused skill.
Why resilience is often overlooked and misunderstood.
Creating adequate systems of resilience.
The importance of setting aside time to plan and prioritize.
How Dr. Howard defines resilience.
Planning for disruptions and taking time to think things through.
The ripple effect and how it pertains to workflow.
Collaboration as a skill that should be learned.
How curiosity can help you achieve your objectives.
Why optimistic thinking is a precursor to resilience.
Learning to think differently.
The importance of listening to new ideas and implementing the ones that work.
How to think in terms of systems.
Having a standardized approach to problem-solving.
Why leaders in the workplace need to be flexible and have emotional agility.
Analyzing and understanding KPIs and other metrics.
Recognizing that (rapid) change is the new normal.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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Most of us would agree that email is not always an effective way to communicate. Of the 300 billion emails that go out every day, a staggering 55% is spam. Even the emails that we opt into are usually inconsequential and only serve to distract us. And yet this mode of communication continues to dominate our working lives, with the average office worker receiving roughly 120 emails a day and researchers estimating that a full 28% of our working hours are spent on email alone. But what if we could challenge this outdated mode of communication? In today’s episode, we discuss the rise of email, how the age of information overload is affecting us, and how we can radically rethink communication in the workplace. We delve into harmful email practices, how to be intentional about the emails you send, and the importance of building a sense of connection in the workplace. For a new perspective on email and radical ways to manage communication in the digital age, make sure you tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

An overview of the current state of email communication.
How communication in the workplace has changed since the 1950s.
Examples of how we are living in an age of information overload.
How information overload is affecting our cognition.
The important role that data visualization plays in managing information.
The proliferation of emails in the workplace.
How email steals your time and distracts workers.
Why email harms momentum and dulls your thinking.
How we can rethink communication in the workplace.
Advice on how to manage email in the workplace.
How to be intentional about emails.
Radical new ways to manage communication in the office.
Why having friendships in the workplace is beneficial.
How to discern which email practices are productive and which are destructive.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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How can you lead a company if your employees are constantly positioned with one foot in and one foot out? How can grit help you to fortify yourself as a leader? On this episode of Work Smart Club, Dr. Cynthia Howard shares strategies aimed at building grit and tenacity in your teams. We talk about the dilution of vision and how leading without vision can impact the outcomes you are working towards. Listeners will hear about the relationship between grit and flow and how grit can enhance your ability to focus. Dr. Howard also discusses why we should be working towards building a continuously learning culture rather than a constantly upgrading culture where we throw out what doesn’t work and trade in for the newer model. Let’s focus on building cultures and employees with grit and tenacity so that leaders and teams can find success! Don’t miss out, tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

How Grit and Flow are similar but different.
How building grit and tenacity in your team will help you [as a leader].
A short story on the impact of having grit as a characteristic.
How grit is the muscle that makes courage work.
Research on grit; characteristics and skills associated with having grit.
Grit and hiring: consider rethinking grit when hiring employees.
The relationship between flow and grit.
How grit can help with focus and ultimately satisfaction.
Why, as leaders, we need to stop letting outside influence dilute our vision.
Understanding what vision is.
Why failure doesn’t mean you should stop.
A note to leaders!
The intention behind having grit.
How to unify around one purpose.
Four questions to understand your employees' experience at work.
Why you need to let your team figure out how to solve their own problems.
The importance of holding regular debriefs with your teams.
What review processes should and should not look like during your debriefing sessions.
How support can help build grit.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Grit by Angela Duckworth

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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One of the defining characteristics of the era in which we currently find ourselves is increased worry, sadness, and loneliness. This trend was already appearing before the arrival of the pandemic but was undoubtedly enhanced by the move to a remote landscape and a general loss of human connection at work and beyond. We have seen a rise in dissatisfaction in the workplace, signified most starkly by the great resignation, and this has shown up in all levels of leadership and employment. The sad truth is that unhappy people perform very differently from satisfied employees, and lowered optimism and confidence can drastically damage the health and success of any professional environment. So what are we to do to tackle this emotional component of our workplaces? In today's episode, listeners will get a number of pointers for bolstering the emotional state of a team, and some practical and simple solutions for this fundamental problem. It is important to remember that leaders can only be as influential as the trust they have built and that nurturing commitment between team members can have a huge impact in the long run. Tune in to hear what you can do today to make a difference!

Key Points From This Episode:

The natural flow of emotions and their huge impact on our actions and decisions.
How to respond to negative emotions in practical and proactive ways.
Why journalling can help us process and manage difficult feelings.
Applying the power of journalling in a team setting.
The role of leaders in caring and connecting with their team of employees.
Why the current unchartered climate is posing new challenges.
Unpacking the loneliness issue and its main contributing factors and solutions.
Team activities that can help build better understanding and communication.
Tools for collaboration and how this boosts problem-solving.
Coaching for your team and the impact this can have on energy levels and momentum.
Introducing the Five 'S' initiative from the Lean Six Sigma framework.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Anne Frank

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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Welcome back to the Work Smart Club, we’re thrilled to have you with us! Today, we will be discussing how to be a resilient leader in order to coach your team effectively. We talk about how being in survival mode has forced us to approach work differently and how some leaders are ignoring what leadership is actually about. People need to be inspired, not managed, and cultivating resilience can motivate people to achieve their best. Leaders need to establish an overriding goal, and this could be a way of activating the forward-focused mindset that is resilience. You’ll hear all about the Work Smart Club Network’s Resilience Course and why you, as a leader, need to manage your energy, awareness, mindset, relationships, and flow. If you work on it every single day, you will build in yourself a resilience that will allow you to stay focused, even in times of heightened confusion. We can’t wait for you to tune in and learn with us today!

Key Points From This Episode:

Introducing today’s topic: resilient leadership.
What it means to be in survival mode.
Why there is a need for us to work differently.
How leadership theories hold people back from thinking about what leadership actually is.
Why building relationships is an intrinsic characteristic of good leadership.
What leaders are supposed to be doing versus what they actually do.
The difference between managing people and managing processes/problems.
How resilience can be cultivated and used to inspire people.
Resilience as a forward-focused mindset.
Why a leader needs to establish a higher purpose and singular goal, and how this activates resilience.
The Work Smart Club Network’s Resilience Course and the five-level resilience pyramid.
Managing your energy, awareness, mindset, relationships, and flow.
Resilience as a strategy that needs to be worked on constantly.
Slowing down our internal dialogue in order to be more effective.
How resilience allows us to stay focused amidst confusion.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Club Episode 26: Let’s Talk Flow – What It is and How to Get More of It

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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Today in the Work Smart Club, we are giving your meetings a makeover. In this episode, we discuss some studies that show that meetings are often not that productive, the number one reason meetings fail, and why meetings require planning and a clear goal and outcome. We also talk about why having a meeting to convey information is a terrible idea, why people need to know the reason for the meeting they are attending, how to spell out the desired outcome of the meeting, and the importance of facilitating the sharing of ideas. Next, we go through some tips that you can use to engage people in meetings before looking at why you should get the ‘negative’ out of the way first. We even discuss how to time manage meetings and why you should not allow people into a meeting if they arrive late. Finally, we share some unusual suggestions that will refresh your meetings and allow for the flow of innovative ideas. So, to get some valuable tips on how to make your meetings more effective, tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

Studies that show that meetings aren’t that productive.
Examples of different types of meetings.
When meetings are counterproductive.
The importance of having a goal and outcome for meetings.
Why meetings require planning.
Why having a meeting to convey information is not helpful.
The number one reason meetings fail: they lack clarity.
Why meeting attendees need to know why the meeting matters.
The importance of facilitating the sharing of ideas in a meeting.
How to spell out the desired objective of a meeting.
Five top tips you can use to engage people in the first five minutes of a meeting.
The importance of putting a time limit on a meeting.
Why staff members who arrive late for a meeting shouldn’t be allowed in.
The benefits of walking meetings.
Why holding a meeting during an activity can facilitate new ideas.
The value in taking risks when it comes to meetings.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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Welcome to another episode of the Work Smart Club podcast. Today we discuss all things gossip and how to handle it; particularly when it’s about you. We look into the interesting origin of gossip, what it is exactly, its damaging consequences, and why it is a symptom of a bigger problem that needs to be addressed. Gossip is not something you can always control, but today we share how you can make a difference and stop contributing to it by saying no to being a passive listener. We also discuss the importance of opening the lines of communication before looking at what to do when the gossip is about you. Cynthia reminds us that we are each responsible for our own emotions and in order to display emotional intelligence, we need to be in control of how we demonstrate those emotions. Lastly, we talk about how leaders should create a culture of open discussion and honesty in order to reject gossip in the working environment. To hear all this and more, tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

Where gossip originated from.
The damaging consequences gossip carries.
What exactly gossip is.
How you can make a difference and stop contributing to gossip.
Why being a passive listener to gossip is just as bad as gossiping.
Cynthia shares a story of recent tension in her workplace.
What you do when the gossip is about you.
The importance of opening the lines of communication.
The importance of keeping your emotions in check when dealing with conflict.
Why we’re responsible for how we feel and demonstrate feelings: emotional intelligence.
Why leaders need to get comfortable with dealing with conflict directly.
How leaders can create a culture of openness and honesty.
Why gossip is a symptom.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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Have you found yourself procrastinating on the things you need to get done? Or perhaps you try and do everything at once so you finish faster? Today on the Work Smart Club, we are discussing what flow is and how to get more of it! Tuning in, you’ll hear all about what flow is, why it is an effortless state of being, how you know you’re experiencing it, and why it is so important to find meaning in every single task you do in order to have flow. We also break down the three main conditions you need to focus on in order to get into flow before talking about what blocks flow. You will learn about how to create an environment conducive to flow if you are a leader, the importance of being a good listener, and why you should never multitask. Finally, we delve into why you should never resist the things on your to-do list! Thank you for joining us!

Key Points From This Episode:

A definition of what ‘flow’ is.
Why flow is an effortless state of being.
How you know you’re experiencing flow.
The importance of finding meaning in your job.
The three main conditions you want to focus on in order to get into flow.
What blocks flow.
Why you need to consider how to create an environment conducive to flow as a leader.
The importance of becoming a good listener.
Why you need to learn to single task.
The importance of not resisting what you need to get done.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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We’re back with the Work Smart Club and, today, we are sticking with last week’s theme of progressing into a new role with a new emphasis on transitioning from an expert to a leader. Becoming a leader requires a unique set of skills and a common misconception is that, as a leader, you can always do things your way. We discuss how leaders need to learn how to actively listen, why they must set the stage for others to shine, and why training for mid-level leaders is essential, as well as why it’s important to understand that the change starts with you. Seeing negative experiences as adventures can help unlock your true potential, and we learn that making the transition into a leader is a matter of changing your mindset. Your host lays down some practical advice for progressing from expert to leader, plus some tips for finding your courage, being in control of yourself before leading others, listening more and reacting less, and being comfortable with the unknown. For more on how embracing uncertainty can help you to build trust with your team, tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

The transition from expert to leader as an inside job.
How leadership is a combination of a unique set of skills.
The misconception of getting to do things your way as a leader.
Why experts need to know how to ask questions and leaders need to learn how to listen.
Leaders setting the stage and preparing the way for others to shine.
Why training and coaching for mid-level managers is essential.
Understanding that the change starts within you.
Seeing negative experiences as adventures, not setbacks, to help unlock your potential.
Transitioning into a leader as a matter of changing your mindset.
Practical advice for progressing from expert to leader.
Getting out of your comfort zone and finding your courage.
How a leader needs to be in control of themselves before asking people to follow them.
Why a leader should listen more, react less, and set goals for mutual understanding.
The importance of being comfortable with change, obstacles, and not knowing everything.
Building trust with your team by embracing uncertainty.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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Today on the Work Smart club we talk about transitioning into a new role and why it’s important to leverage your past rather than reviving it. In this new, digital age, we need new ways of thinking about work, leadership, and the common traps that we fall into when entering a new position. We discuss why you shouldn’t push for solutions without fully understanding the problem, how to avoid falling into familiar traps, clarity as a lever to avoid jumping to solutions, and how to develop mindful attention through self-awareness. Optimism is a vehicle for bringing your past confidence into your present and it can help with developing important problem-solving skills. You’ll come to understand why past victories should stay in the past, why building relationships is as important as developing strategies, and why learning and revising are essential skills to carry with you in this new era post “the great disruption.“ Be sure to tune in.

Key Points From This Episode:

Why it’s important to leverage your past and how to bring your future into your present.
How a renowned problem-solver flopped at his new role of manager while trying to revive his past.
Why we need new ways of thinking about work and leadership.
Common traps that people fall into when transitioning into a new role.
Why you shouldn’t jump to solutions without fully understanding the problem.
How thinking that you know what the problem is may lead to more problems.
What you can do to avoid falling into these traps.
Finding clarity in a pressure situation as a lever to avoid jumping to solutions.
Developing mindful attention and agility through self-awareness.
A reminder of the wonders of optimism.
Bringing your past confidence into your present and developing problem-solving skills.
Why what has worked in the past will probably not work in the present.
How it can be detrimental to focus on strategy rather than building relationships.
Learning and revising as essential skills in this new, digital age.
The Quickstart Membership and other free resources that are available on the Work Smart Consulting website.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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Welcome back to another episode of the Work Smart Club. The idea of persistence is often mixed up with tenacity. Today we explore why persistence and tenacity are different, why persistence and optimism should be core competencies, the dangers of pessimism, and the importance of focus and incubating your thoughts. We also look at some examples of persistence in organizations; including Kelly Johnson’s famous project. Lastly, we talk about how to know when to pivot, the importance of feedback and planning, and why progress is one of our biggest motivators. Join us today to learn about when to persist and when to pivot!

Key Points From This Episode:

What we think of when we hear the word ‘persistence.’
How you know when to pivot/do something else.
Why persistence is not tenacity.
Why learning is persistence and why not learning from mistakes is tenacity, not persistence.
We share a story about persistence and compare how two hotels handled their problems.
Why persistence and optimism need to be core competencies.
Why pessimism doesn’t generate success because it doesn’t allow for persistence.
The importance of incubating your thoughts.
An example of persistence and focus as displayed by Kelly Johnson.
Knowing when to quit and when to pivot.
The importance of the feedback you get during projects.
Why persistence is enhanced by feedback and planning.
Why progress is one of our biggest motivators.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Kelly Johnson

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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Aretha Franklin had the right idea about respect when she said “find out what it means to me!” Today on the Work Smart Club, we are looking at a different take on what respect means to us in the workplace. We discuss why respect needs a refresh and how a lack thereof affects productivity and profit. We also delve into a few definitions of what respect is and recognize that we can all find something in someone that we admire. You’ll hear all about how respect can prevent escalations of conflict, why respect and liking someone are not mutually exclusive, the importance of getting to know your colleagues and maintaining healthy standards of relationships, and the dangers of indifference in the workplace. Finally, we challenge you to define what respect means to your organization and make it a part of your company culture and work standard! To hear all this and more, tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

Why respect in the workplace needs a refresh.
How lack of respect in the workplace affects productivity and profit.
We define what respect is: the desire to elevate a relationship through admiration.
Why we can all find something in someone that we can admire.
How we can acknowledge small yet powerful behaviors.
How respect (assuming people act with good intentions) can prevent escalations of conflict.
Why you can respect someone who shows you a lack of respect.
Whether or not you can respect someone without liking them.
The importance of getting to know your colleagues.
Why negativity is so contagious.
Why gossip needs to be shut down in the workplace.
Why you have to choose to respect someone and cannot be forced to.
How indifference has taken over many departments and organizations.
Why the standards of relationships at work should be healthy.
Why liking someone and respecting someone is not mutually exclusive.
The importance of the ability to make progress and why respect is imperative to do this.
We challenge you to make respect an operational standard and core competency!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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If done right, leadership can be one of the most rewarding opportunities of all time. Being an authentic leader requires introspection and invites you to continuously learn and grow on the job. However, so many leaders do themselves the disservice of getting caught up in the theory and, in an attempt to be everything to everyone, settle on a singular leadership style that most likely won’t translate into every given situation. Today, we delve into the traps leaders can fall into by committing to the theory of leadership, rather than developing an authentic, versatile leadership style. You’ll discover what it means to be a situational leader who hones in on their unique strengths and personality to build trust and adapt to whatever situation may arise! Tune in to find out how to stop being all things to all people and, instead, become a credible leader who knows how to set boundaries, plan, and adapt.

Key Points From This Episode:

What a situational leader is and why you should aim to be one!
How to draw from various leadership models and apply them to your unique situation.
The importance of developing an authentic leadership style.
How the servant leadership style is often misunderstood and misrepresented.
A healthy alternative to servant leadership.
How the digital age has accelerated operations and affected leadership.
How to stop being all things to all people!
Leadership as action, not theory.
The intrinsic role of personality in leadership.
Debunking common misconceptions about the goal of leadership.
How to use your unique strengths to build trust.
What makes a leader credible and trustworthy.
The two most important EQ skills in leadership: assertiveness and independent thinking.
Listening as a problem-solving tool.
The importance of introspection and modeling your expectations as a leader.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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Just because something is happening all around you doesn’t mean it’s right. If you are part of a company that has a toxic culture, you should either get out as quickly as possible, or do something to change it! The Great Resignation that is taking place currently was a long time coming with the high levels of disengaged employees and the low satisfaction rate that have plagued the working world for many years. Workplace culture won’t change unless someone does something about it, and why shouldn’t that someone by you? I hope this episode encourages you to step out of your blindspot and to use your supernatural powers of faith to be the change!

Key Points From This Episode:

Why I wasn’t surprised by the Great Resignation that is taking place now.
The major blind spot that persists amongst people in executive leadership positions.
Benefits of the LEAN 6 Sigma approach.
Exploring the law of gravity in relation to company culture.
What to do if you realize that your company culture is toxic.
Why it is so important to recognize your value.
How the power of faith can turn around workplace culture.
A study which showed the physiological effects of a positive attitude.
Don’t wait for change, be the change!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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Being an American has never been more important today and our freedoms are being stolen daily! Following the Fourth of July, we wanted to discuss freedom, the values that built America, and how to make declarations over your own life! Tuning in you will be invited to dig deep to figure out exactly what your own values, legacy, and purpose is before we discuss why our freedom is God-given. We also look at what it means to live by faith, how the past is being played out again today, why we are in a time of deception and fear, and why we should be proud to be Americans. So to find out how to use your power of discernment as a tool to make declarations over your own life, join us on the Work Smart Club podcast!

Key Points From This Episode:

Why being an American has never been more important.
A story about Cynthia’s mother’s experience with the Nazis.
The values upon which America was formed.
We read a portion of the Declaration of Independence.
We invite you to pray and dig deep to figure out exactly what your values are.
How the same playbook of the past is being played out again today in the world.
Why being an American is about standing on the side of freedom not political parties.
Considering your own legacy and purpose.
We invite you to read Hebrews 11 and understand what it really means to live by faith.
Why this is one of the best times to be alive.
Why we are in an information war and a time of deception.
Why we should be proud to be Americans.
Why discernment is a power tool.
Why we cannot let ourselves be wrapped up in fear.
The importance of the Declaration of Independence.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

The Declaration of Independence

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The subject of burnout has been ignored for far too long, and it is something that we as a society and as separate workplaces, can no longer overlook. The reality is that burnout has become normalized to a massive degree, and feelings of exhaustion and disengagement are commonplace in today's professional environments. This episode of the Work Smart Club is all about how to get clear and turn this trend around! We look at the four biggest needs of employees, and how we should be structuring jobs around these to keep the workplace a happy and healthy space. The ideas of boundaries and expectations are also covered before diving into some activities and tactics for transcending common hurdles we face in companies. Whether or not the majority of managers want to face it, there are significant consequences to trying to lead a burned-out workforce, and the sooner we all get real about identifying and changing the circumstances that cause these problems, the better for everyone!

Key Points From This Episode:

What burnout does to your relationships, energy levels, and professional performance.
Common experiences in the digital age; the blurred line between work and home life.
Feelings of belonging and manager-relations; how these influence the extent to which a company can retain employees.
Workload and success; considering factors such as distractions and expectations.
Thoughts on managing a burned-out team and the compounding issue of manager burnout!
Quality work and progress; why these are so important to employees.
Rethinking our standards around digital communication.
The power of job analysis and refining a job description for everyone's benefit.
Examples of how situations of overwork and overwhelm can lead to difficulties in the workplace.
Choices about self-care and enablement; when to speak up!
Where to start with the process of reformulating our thinking about burnout.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

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Conflict is something most people like to avoid, except we can’t. It's part of everyday life, and in truth, without conflict, new ideas would not come forth and there wouldn't be any progress. Considering the politically-charged nature of the world we are currently living in, it’s absolutely critical that people learn how to deal with conflict. In this episode, we talk about how to develop conflict skills in the workplace. Tuning in you’ll hear about how conflict allows you the opportunity to break through assumptions and bias, why it is not personal or evidence of a failure, and how it can be leveraged to increase the value of your team’s interactions. You’ll find out why you should monitor and measure the types of conflicts that you have, why conflict training should be part of the onboarding process, and how the Lean Six Sigma approach to problem-solving can provide an added benefit. In order to have new ideas, deep understanding, and fresh insights, it's critical to learn how to have healthy debates and manage conflict. So, for some profound insight into how to manage conflict and create an energized and engaged workplace, tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

How conflict is necessary for new ideas to come forth and the importance of learning how to leverage it.
The politically-charged nature of the time we are living in and why it’s never been more important to learn conflict skills.
The definition of conflict: the inability to agree to disagree.
The benefits of conflict: an opportunity to break through assumptions and bias.
Super tip: monitor and measure the types of conflicts that you have.
An example of a leader who didn’t deal with conflict and the impact this had on his workplace.
How to leverage conflict to increase the value of your team’s interactions.
The importance of recognizing that conflict is not personal or evidence of failure.
The value of conflict training as part of the onboarding process.
The idea of generosity in terms of information-sharing.
Bullying as a consequence of ignoring conflict and how to establish a standard of respect.
Why problem-solving training goes hand-in-hand with conflict training.
A quick review of the foundational approach of Lean Six Sigma for problem-solving.
Why compromising is counterproductive to conflict resolution.
How to establish an energized engaged workplace by having the right training.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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Have you got a boss that does not yell but is aggressive in other ways? Do you dread meeting your boss? Does your boss ignore you, or is excessively critical? Are you unhappy in your workplace and feel despondent? Then today’s episode is for you! We all have to deal with terrible bosses at some point during our careers but staying in that situation is unhealthy. Staying can affect your confidence and contribution to your job. Therefore, finding ways to deal with passive-aggressive leadership or workplaces is essential to your success. In today’s show, we talk about passive-aggressive bosses and how they create unhealthy workplaces. We learn about what the differences are between passive-aggression and aggression, ways in which passive-aggressive leadership manifests, the common character traits that ‘bully bosses’ share, advice for dealing with passive-aggressive leadership, why staying in an unhealthy workplace is a bad idea, what it takes to create a healthy workplace, and much more! Tune in today to hear solutions to your boss problems with Cynthia Howard!

Key Points From This Episode:

The difference between passive aggression and actual aggression.
Examples of how aggression and passive-aggression can manifest in the workplace.
How leaders can be passive-aggressive in a team or workplace.
Cynthia shares an experience she had working with a passive aggressive-leader.
The impact that passive-aggressive leaders have on employees and team members.
Advice for dealing with passive-aggressive people in the workplace.
Character traits that passive-aggressive leaders have in common.
Ways in which ‘bully bosses’ can hide their behavior and avoid repercussions.
An outline of the signals that the team is being run by passive-aggressive leadership.
The financial costs associated with passive-aggressive leadership or ‘bully’ culture.
What it takes to create a positive workplace culture and a good leader.
Some shocking data on stress, anxiety, and burnout occurring in the workplace.
How there have been small changes to workplace culture.
Using data to identify problems and create a healthier workplace.
The foundation of creating a healthy workplace: creating trust.
Why staying in an unhealthy workplace is not the right thing to do.
The opportunities to grow for both the employee and the passive-aggressive boss.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

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Do you have trouble staying organized? Is there a lot of clutter around you? Do you end up being moody and lacking confidence sometimes? Do you procrastinate and have difficulty concentrating? Is it difficult to know what to do next? Well, today’s episode is about internal conflict and how to turn that around so you can get organized, feel happier, and get things done! The first thing you need to do is to make a list of the things that are creating internal conflict in your life and approach finding resolve for the first one. Join us as we discuss some of the causes of disharmony and internal conflict, with real-life examples and tools to open your heart as you begin to operate from a new perspective. Love leads differently to ‘let’s get this done’, so we invite you to embrace these techniques in order to put love in the driver’s seat. If you’re looking to energize yourself and get into flow, tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

Ways to deliberately engage flow, harmony, and coherence.
What it looks like to be in flow (and what it looks like when you are not).
How to check in with yourself to determine if you are dealing with internal conflict.
Symptoms of internal conflict; the elephant in the room.
Situations that can cause internal conflict.
Changes you can make once you have identified the source of internal conflict in your life.
How clearing internal conflict can enable us to hear God and know what we crave.
A powerful first step: write down what needs to change and do something about it!
Why the very first thing you should do about anything is pray about it.
Why you don’t want to be an enabler and live through the conflict of it.
An example of how Cynthia Howard had to resolve a problem through difficult conversations.
How using your strengths can enable you to get into a flow state.
The state of being known as ‘coherence’, where your nervous system is in balance.
How to manage the 90-minute to two-hour rhythm of your attention span.
What is needed to get into a flow: a goal, a balance between difficulty and skill, and feedback!
How heart-centered emotions like love and pride can expand your perspective.
Prayer as a powerful tool to get back into harmony with yourself.
More tools to help you to find harmony: heart-focused breathing and heart lock-in.
How leading with love differs from having a mindset of ‘let’s get this done’.
How flow can lead to enjoyment and connection with those around you.
Why, the more you use these techniques, the more you are filling up your resilience account.
How an exhausted mindset leads to an inability to get into flow.
The power of coaching to redeem years of your life.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

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While there is a common perception that people need to work on their weaknesses and not their strengths, today we find out why the opposite is true. In this episode, we talk about how leaders who operate out of their strengths have greater impact and greater influence than those who don’t, and how focusing on your weaknesses just leaves a person feeling tired and drained. Tuning in you’ll hear the difference between a strength and something you are good at, how you can overdo a strength and wear yourself out, and the vital skill of self-awareness for any leader. You’ll discover a series of questions that you can ask yourself to identify your strengths. Knowing your strengths not only helps you to identify the right jobs and opportunities to show up as your best self, but it also enables you to help your team to do the same. According to statistics, people who operate out of their strengths on a daily basis are six times more likely to be engaged in their work. So, to find out how to identify your strengths, what you can do about your weaknesses, and how to help your teamwork through their strengths so that they are empowered and engaged, tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

Why the common perception that people need to work on their weaknesses and not their strengths is incorrect.
The difference between a strength and something you are good at.
How you can overdo a strength and wear yourself out.
How knowing your strengths helps you to identify the right jobs and opportunities to show up as your best self.
A series of questions that you can ask yourself to identify your strengths.
How leaders that do operate out of their strengths recognize that their personal energy is critical to their influence.
The vital skill of self-awareness for any leader.
How as you develop your awareness of your strengths, you will be more confident in helping your team to do the same.
A strength-spotting worksheet and some other resources Cynthia recommends.
The value of partnering up with people whose strengths and weaknesses complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
How people will always be your greatest asset.
How People who operate out of their strengths on a daily basis are six times more likely to be engaged in their work.
The strength of pride and the four basic needs of people while they are at work.
Why you should consider doing a strengths assessment.
How leaders who operate out of their strengths are more effective.
An example of some of the strengths you may possess or identify in others.
Why focussing on people’s weaknesses is not the strategy you want to take.
How you can get around the weaknesses by operating out of your strengths.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

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After the unprecedented events of the past two years, fear and anxiety seem to be at an all-time high. Things are changing rapidly and finding balance in our new normal is still in flux. Fear can be all-consuming. In light of this, in this episode, Cynthia opens up about the daily practice she uses to overcome anxiety: prayer. Tuning in you’ll hear about the value of knowing God’s word, how the best way to pray is to use God’s word in prayer, and an example of how you can do this. While people usually use prayer to beg and plead with God, Cynthia explains why this is not productive and how to not let your emotions overcome you. She also explains the roles of praise and thanksgiving in prayer, before challenging us to try her prayer strategy for two weeks.

In this episode, you’ll discover the value of praying according to His will, how to determine what that is, and how you can glorify God through living out your purpose as a leader. For a detailed breakdown of how to pray and what to say when you do, tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

The prevalence of fear and anxiety in today’s world.
Cynthia opens up about her daily practice for overcoming fear: prayer.
The instruction of how to live every aspect of our life according to the word of God.
How to find the best version of the bible for you.
How the best way to pray is to use God’s word in prayer.
An example of how to use God’s word in prayer.
Why people usually use prayer to beg and plead and why this is not productive.
How to not let your emotions overcome you.
How you build your faith through reading the word.
The roles of praise and thanksgiving in prayer.
Cynthia’s experiment for us: To use a prayer strategy for two weeks and where to find it.
How we can ask for anything in His name.
The value of praying according to His will and how this is the part where people get lost.
How you can glorify God through living out your purpose as a leader.
Cynthia’s advice to listeners and leaders: Stop worrying and pray instead.
Cynthia’s closing prayer.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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Do you believe that extroverts are better suited for leadership positions? Do you think that being introverted is a weakness? Then this episode is for you! Today we talk about what it means to be an introvert and how you can challenge the stereotypes associated with it. In this discussion, we cover the misconceptions about introverts in the workplace and why they make such good leaders. We also find out the differences between being extroverted and introverted, and how to communicate more effectively as an introvert. Discover the benefits of being introverted, how to develop your strengths, the importance of knowing your character, and so much more! It turns out that being introverted is actually a strength, so join us to learn how to harness it today.

Key Points From This Episode:

The definition and differences between an introvert and an extrovert.
Common misconceptions surrounding the definitions of intro- and extroverts.
Why it is important to learn about your character.
Examples of how people can be both intro- and extroverted.
Personal growth in relation to your preference.
The significance of confidence to being successful.
Cynthia shares how embracing being introverted helped her.
Understanding your energy preferences to avoid burnout.
The reasons why introverts make great leaders.
Recognizing that some introvert qualities may be misinterpreted by other people.
Integrating your character preference with demands from work.
The impacts of stereotypes on your personal and professional life.
Strategies for introverts to communicate their ideas effectively in the workplace.
Methods to develop and strengthen the uniqueness of your character.
How to communicate the strengths of an introvert to others.
The benefits of executive coaching.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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How do you measure your success as a leader? Very often leaders measure their success by looking at financial data but there’s a lot of information that those financial metrics simply do not convey. They are not going to immediately reflect a leader who has gone off course, who is operating with bad habits, ineffective relationships, or unhealthy communication. If you’re looking for practical strategies that you can use to evaluate your effectiveness as a leader, you’ve come to the right place! Today we discuss how being consistent is one of the best outward signs of your effectiveness and how to develop this through the tools in the Lean Six Sigma. You’ll learn about how to identify and track data, the power of measuring effectiveness by way of your interactions, and the importance of a control phase to measure and sustain your solution once you have achieved it. Tuning in you’ll find out how to affect and sustain positive change as a leader and continue to measure your effectiveness. You’ll also find out where you can get a daily progress checklist and other resources to help you do this. For all this and more, tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

Today’s topic: strategies that you can use to evaluate your effectiveness as a leader.
Why being consistent is one of the best outward signs of your effectiveness.
How to develop consistency through the tools in the Lean Six Sigma.
Why you want to be able to track data.
The daily progress checklist and how this can help you determine how you are facilitating your team.
An example of a manager that had failed to empower their team and how Cynthia helped them.
The power of measuring effectiveness by way of your interactions.
The importance of a control phase to measure and sustain whatever solution you have put in place.
The role of personal controls and policy control measures.
How to implement mindset and behavioral changes.
The importance of the right expectations as a leader.
What you need to do to ensure that the changes you make will stay in place.
The story of a team that Cynthia helped with a succession plan using these principles.
Where you can find resources to help you get clarity on challenges you may have.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

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Have you heard about a personal brand, but didn't pay attention because you didn't think it mattered to you? Do you wonder why some people get ahead faster and quicker, and what secret you may be missing that is helping them achieve this? Well, this episode is for you! Today, we break down the three elements of an inspired leadership brand and discuss why it's so important for all of us, not just influencers or companies. Tuning in you’ll hear the five reasons why a leadership brand is so important if you want to get ahead and how to develop your brand by focusing on your identity, audience, and the results you want to achieve. You’ll also hear how your strengths, values, experience, and personality play into your personal leadership brand. If you want to get ahead, get that promotion, or fast-track your career path, tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

What a brand is and why it’s important.
Why a leadership brand is necessary if you want to get ahead.
Five reasons why a brand is important: fulfilment, differentiation, consistency, impact and influence, and authenticity.
Three elements to help you develop your own leadership brand starting with your identity.
Why you should focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses.
How to identify your strengths and a strength profile assessment that you can do.
The important role of your values as part of your identity.
Your experience as a part of your identity.
Personality and leveraging your quirks to your benefit.
The second element of identifying your personal leadership brand: figuring out who your audience is.
The third element of identifying your personal leadership brand: the results you want to achieve or the problem you want to solve.
Some of the pitfalls that people encounter when trying to develop their personal leadership brand.
How the Work Smart Club can help you identify your personal leadership brand and achieve success.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

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Thinking outside the box is more than a cliche. During today’s episode, we introduce the Innovation Lab, a process you can use with your team to engage people. What drives an Innovation Lab? Bringing people together who are close to the problem, who want to find a solution to the problem, and who have intimate knowledge of the problem. Tune in to hear how Cynthia came to develop the Innovation Lab concept, why finding the right solution depends on choosing the right problem, and how Cynthia worked with a business to resolve its difficulties through three Innovation Labs. It all starts with identifying the problem, before choosing the right people to partake, and creating a time frame of 100 days, divided into 10-day segments. Learn why the desired outcome must always be defined by the leader, and find out why it is so important that people are challenged within the workplace. Join us today to hear all this and more!

Key Points From This Episode:

An introduction to today’s episode and a summary of what we discuss.
How Cynthia came to develop the Innovation Lab concept.
The hands-on process whereby adults learn.
Why finding the right solution depends on choosing the right problem.
An example of how she worked with a client to build systems through three Innovation Labs.
Resolving the bandwidth problem and the bottleneck issues around recruiting, hiring, tracing, and evaluating staff.
The problem she identified: not processing the right candidates in a timely fashion to meet the demands of the employer.
Another issue she identified: identifying the right person for the job.
Why identifying what your desired outcome is must fall to the leader.
Why it is necessary for people to be challenged within the workplace.
How if you don’t have a high standard, people will do the basic minimum.
Why the members of the team need to have an intrinsic understanding of what needs to be done.
The profile of the group you need to successfully complete an Innovation Lab.
How you can complete this process within a time frame of 100 days divided into ten days.
What the first meeting consists of: laying the foundation.
Exploring the problem and building a case around it including threats and opportunities.
Defining what it means to have high-level satisfaction.
The A3 Tool in Lean Sigma that provides the information you need to understand what you’re working on and where you are going.
How conflict around big issues can destroy momentum.
Identifying roles for customers and potential candidates.
Where you can find out more about hosting an Innovation Lab over 100 days: the Work Smart Club.
The most important points: define what you are doing, set up a beginning, middle, and end, set up a 100-day timeline, and have an expectation of success.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Downloadable Resources

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Who hasn’t heard the phrase “think outside the box?” We've all heard it and, while we would all like to come up with the next great idea, it’s a lot easier said than done. In this episode, we examine the current condition of information overload, how it’s maxing out people's ability to do quality work, and how it makes creative thinking more difficult than ever before. Tuning in you’ll learn about the brain’s addiction to novelty, how this plays out in Shiny Object Syndrome and FOMO, and some of the dangers of living in a constant state of partial attention and information overload. We then break down creative thinking and what it really means to think outside the box through Work Smart Consulting’s Innovation Lab process. Listen in to discover why imagination and day-dreaming are so valuable, the need for time and space to enable creativity, and the value of a digital detox. We also break down Work Smart’s most important steps to promote creativity. If you want to understand how you personally can be more creative or how you can organize your team to think differently, then tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

The definition of information overload and its prevalence in this day and age.
The importance of learning to think creatively.
An introduction to the Innovation Lab that Cynthia uses at Work Smart Consulting.
How multitasking is the antithesis of creative thinking.
The brain’s addiction to novelty and how this plays out in Shiny Object Syndrome and FOMO.
Some of the dangers of living in a constant state of partial attention and information overload.
The difference between productivity and busyness.
What it means to be creative and how this is not the same as being artistic or intelligent.
An assessment tool that takes a look at 12 different elements of being creative.
How Cynthia builds opportunities to improve people’s creativity into the Six Sigma process/DMAIC: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control.
The two most important elements to being creative: time and space.
The value of scheduling time to just think through whatever problem you want to solve.
The first step to promote creativity: to gather information.
The second step: incubation or conscious and subconscious processing of the problem.
The third step: the “Aha!” moment when something new is sparked.
The final step: taking the idea and bringing it into reality.
Why imagination and day-dreaming are so valuable.
Why Cynthia recommends digital detoxes.
The art of practicing single-focus or mindful attention.
Why you should practice visualization and using your imagination.
How these processes work together in Work Smart’s Innovation Lab.
A recap of the steps to help you build a lifestyle that will increase your creativity.
What you should pay attention to as you go through this process.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Ep 04: Your Most Important Asset: Your Attention

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Committing to building authentic confidence is possibly the most important endeavor you will ever embark on. In this world of uncertainty and disruption, many of us have misplaced our confidence, and in this episode, we unpack what confidence really is and talk about how you can secure it for yourself and your future! We break down the shadows of confidence: the infamous imposter syndrome and the lesser-known orphan spirit. You’ll discover where these confidence-bashing syndromes stem from and how they can seep into all aspects of your life if left unacknowledged. Tune in today to find out how to reset your confidence and manifest a brighter future!

Key Points From This Episode:

The shocking statistics regarding women’s confidence and how it affects their trajectory.
How the disruption and uncertainty of life today impact our confidence.
Why it’s important to develop your confidence!
Imposter syndrome: what it is, who’s affected by it, where it stems from, and its repercussions.
How to overcome your imposter syndrome.
Signs that you may be suffering from imposter syndrome.
How perfectionism negatively impacts your relationships.
How perfectionism differs from the spirit of excellence.
What the orphan spirit is and what it results in.
A reminder that you are not your feelings!
How your feelings create the environment in which you live.
The importance of acknowledging your patterns to break the cycle.
How to reset your confidence!
The power of visualizing your future self in building authentic confidence.
The value of learning, and focusing on your successes rather than your weaknesses.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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In this digital age, the boundaries between work and home are blurred, and processes have become more accelerated too. The result of this is that the danger of looming burnout is greater than ever. In today’s episode of Work Smart Club, Dr. Howard talks about some of the dangers of burnout, shares seven signs that you might be experiencing it, and dishes out the best strategies for avoiding it and recovering from it. We hear about how burnout can decrease productivity, reducing confidence and earning potential, which causes a negative feedback loop that only spirals downward. You’ll learn how to assess whether you, or your team, are in a cycle of burnout by becoming aware of signs such as indifference, the need to isolate, racing thoughts, the inability to relax, and more. When it comes to coping strategies, Dr. Howard stresses the importance of taking regular vacations, setting up healthy sleep patterns, prioritizing holistic fulfillment, and other healthy habits. So if you want to learn how to steer clear of burnout or heal from it if you think you have it, be sure to tune in today. Until next time, stay energized and take care of yourself!

Key Points From This Episode:

Why it is so easy to slip into burnout.
How greatly burnout affects your earning potential.
The relief that was caused for people during social interactions pre-lockdown.
Some of the warning signs that you are experiencing burnout.
Burnout Dr. Howard discovered at a center she assessed and how a solution was found.
The role of self-care in fighting burnout and how people struggle to take care of themselves.
How a client of Dr. Howard’s was fighting burnout at her job.
The importance of having a strategy to manage stress by dealing with it in the moment.
Using breathing techniques and prayer to manage stress in the moment.
The seven signs of burnout.
Working longer hours but getting less done.
Feeling numb and indifferent towards people and the quality of your work.
Wondering if you have what it takes and the confidence crisis this causes.
Thinking more about what could go wrong than right.
Isolating and spending less time with people you care about.
Being more angry and irritated than usual.
Having a racing mind that you cannot turn off.
Taking the first steps toward recognizing and remedying burnout.
Spending time with supportive people and exercising.
How to ask questions to your team to assess if they are burned out.
Taking time off and giving yourself breaks to recover.
Learning to take responsibility for your wellbeing.
Strategies for getting better sleep.
Managing the expectations that you have for yourself.
How dangerous it is to keep trying to do ‘one more thing.’
Balancing remote work with on-site work.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

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You've heard of resilience. You've probably heard of emotional intelligence. And you might have heard of emotional agility. In today's installment of Work Smart, we dive into the reasons why these are skills that you need to cultivate and the tragic consequences if you don't! Being emotionally agile allows us to regulate our emotions so that we can function at our best during uncomfortable and uncertain situations, and a key element of this is focus – something that isn't easy in these unprecedented times of disruption. We have to either learn to live in this time or move beyond it, which means defining our own normal again and taking ownership of our emotional health and development. This episode begins with a dive into the neuroscience of how our brains process emotions and triggers, before outlining the ways that these continue to live on in our bodies and psyche unless dealt with. We then excavate the causes and consequences of chronic stress and focus on the importance of self-awareness and authenticity (which isn't actually what most people think it is). You'll also hear about the tragic phenomenon of learned helplessness, getting caught in the drama triangle, and how these toxic cycles play out in the workplace! The episode winds to a close by covering the exact skills and characteristics you can cultivate to be emotionally agile, and how to do this so that it sticks. To discover all this, as well as the right questions to ask yourself to raise your emotional intelligence, tune into another insightful session of Work Smart!

Key Points From This Episode:

Introductory comments about why we need emotional agility.
Talking a bit about neuroscience: the three parts of the brain and how they work.
How your emotions continue to live in your body and psyche unless dealt with.
Commenting on how addiction to scrolling has damaged our ability to listen.
The importance of training your brain to slow down and eliminate under and overreactions.
Busting the myth of 'good' stress, and how stress is like being pregnant.
How disease, illness, and immune problems are linked to stress.
The tragic phenomenon of learned helplessness as a side effect of chronic stress.
The characteristic of self-awareness and how it translates into situational awareness.
How emotions are like the iceberg from the story of the Titanic.
That authenticity isn't the same as unleashing raw emotions onto others.
Looking at the underlying reasons for chronic anger, sadness, and blaming others.
The drama triangle: how to recognize and respond to it.
Touching on how to grow confidence and optimistic mindset.
How emotional intelligence is about identifying and managing your emotions
The skills you need for emotional agility.
Diving into the qualities of assertiveness and balancing it with independence.
Hear about the offerings of the Work Smart Club to help you learn and grow as a leader.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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We are living in the age of distraction with the average attention span clocking in at eight seconds! This is killing both our joy and our ability to get anything meaningful done. Technology, as wonderful as it is for so many reasons, is primarily responsible for our dwindling focus and this ‘digital dementia’ is slowly eroding our ability to think deeply. But the good news is, due to the laws of neuroplasticity, we are able to train our brains, form new habits, and regain our attention span. In this episode, you’ll discover the simple steps to build your focus back up and you’ll find that your ability to pay attention will ultimately make you a better leader! Tune in to find out how to take charge of your devices, your environment, and your mind. You’ll find that when you are intentional with your attention, you’ll have extra bandwidth to solve problems, think creatively, and process what’s going on around you. Don’t waste another moment, it’s time to prioritize your greatest asset and protect your attention!

Key Points From This Episode:
* The average attention span in the age of distraction. * The consequences of distraction! * How technology is slowly eroding our ability to think deeply. * A major source of social anxiety for younger generations. * Why it’s important to be ruthless about protecting your greatest asset: your attention. * How to manage your attention to ensure optimal productivity and satisfaction. * Download the ‘Interruption Log’ on the Work Smart Club Network website! * The importance of recognizing your distractions so you can make changes. * Common natural causes for distraction. * Simple ways to train your attention span! * The benefits of a digital detox and the various approaches you can take. * The three levels of attention: focus, awareness, and executive control. * The one-minute attention reboot strategy: reboot, refresh, and relish. * The power of appreciation and of keeping a gratitude journal.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

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Of the dismal percentage of people who make resolutions, very few actually keep them. So many of us, post-Covid, feel like we’ve lost our ambition, and that, paired with the endless distractions of the digital age, leaves us with a warped perception of ourselves and the world. We get stuck in our primitive brain stress responses and go through life on autopilot, forgetting to reflect on our through-vision. In this episode, we tackle what you can do today to put an end to the pattern of distraction and busyness without actually advancing your agenda. If you’re feeling stuck, this is the solution for you to get out of that rut once and for all! Tune in to find out how to clear the resistance, step out of your comfort zone, and change your perception. If you clear the weeds, you’ll make space to sow the seeds for your vision to flourish!

Key Points From This Episode:

The dangers of lingering habits post-lockdown and the importance of recognizing them.
What it boils down to when we are busy but aren’t advancing our agenda.
What perception is and how we can actively change our perception of things.
The scientific benefits of gratitude practices.
How our primitive brain gets triggered in a stress reaction.
The link between the emotional brain and the primitive brain.
How distraction breeds susceptibility to emotional hijacking.
How our perception gets skewed when our emotions take charge.
How we are literally overloaded with information in the digital age!
Why emotional intelligence is so valuable.
The fascinating etymology of ‘perception’ and how it becomes our reality.
The number one characteristic of successful people: self-awareness.
Why it’s important to have a vision for the year.
What mindful attention is and why it’s important to be present.
Why it’s important to ask questions and clarify assumptions.
Active steps to get out of a rut!
What the ‘daily review’ and ‘year in review’ activities involve.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

The Work Smart Principle: Leader’s Guide to an Inspired Work Life

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

The Work Smart Principle: Leaders Guide to An Inspired Work Life

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If you want this year to be better than the last, and you want to get unstuck but don’t know where to start, then lean in and listen up! In this episode, we walk you through the three-step process to creating your personal vision statement so you can consistently meet your goals and achieve the success you desire. We break down how to identify your strengths (not your weaknesses!), choose your guiding values, and pick a focus area. You’ll also discover why it’s important to have goals for everything that you do and how building in daily strategies will solidify your vision statement. You’ll learn how to create a vision board, find out why they’re so effective, and discover the immense power of visualization. The time is now to reclaim your life and your fire, and take action to reach your dreams and live a life of inspiration and fulfillment. Tune in for the formula that will get you back on track and change your life for the better!

Key Points From This Episode:

The dire consequences of distractions.
Why it’s critical to write down your goals!
Today’s focus: getting unstuck and creating your vision statement.
Why you need a vision statement.
Cynthia shares vision statement samples.
The three steps of writing a mission statement: identify your strengths, choose your guiding values, pick a focus area.
Why you need to lead with your strengths, not your weaknesses.
How to identify your strengths.
How people fall into learned behaviors.
Why it’s important to have goals for everything that you do.
How failing to identify your values can lead to conflict.
What falls under the category of ‘values’.
Three questions to ask yourself to clarify your values.
Why resolutions typically don’t work.
What a vision statement is, exactly.
The recommended time frame for your vision statement, milestones, goals, and strategies.
The importance of concreting your vision statement with daily strategies.
What a vision board is, how to make one, and why they’re so effective.
How to combine your daily review with your vision journal.
The power of visualization.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

View Details

During these past two years of change and uncertainty, many of us went into survival mode and got caught up in the daily grind. Can you even remember the last time you felt inspired? Well, it’s time for you to wake up and get back to living and working with inspiration, and we’re here to help you. The goal of the Work Smart Club podcast is to get you in touch with your purpose, shake up your perspective, and offer you new ways to do things. It’s time to get you out of survival mode and in control of your thoughts and your vision once more. Tune in and join our community of inspired impact-driven leaders just like yourself who want more success, time, and satisfaction, and still want to change the world! We have the roadmap to navigate these tumultuous times and together we will seize the opportunities that, alone, are hard to see.

Key Points From This Episode:

Welcome to the Work Smart Club podcast!
What purpose is and how the past two years have affected our sense of purpose.
How vision and purpose act as our greatest motivators.
The goal of the Work Smart Club podcast: to help you get in touch with your purpose.
Cynthia Howard shares her background and her motivation for creating the podcast.
What is required from you in order to break through your ceilings and live a life of purpose.
The danger of not having a vision and getting caught up in the daily grind.
The power of our thoughts!
The value of community, and the community that Cynthia intends to build with this podcast.
What to expect in future episodes.
What you will gain from listening to the podcast and joining the Work Smart Club.

Tweetables:

“It is time for you to wake up and get back to living and working with inspiration.” — Cynthia Howard [0:01:20]

“Purpose, and our sense of purpose, is our greatest motivator.” — Cynthia Howard [0:01:27]

“Living a life of purpose isn’t rocket science and breaking through your ceilings is possible, it just requires a commitment.” — Cynthia Howard [0:04:02]

“It’s very simple. You need a vision and then you need to take action.” — Cynthia Howard [0:04:34]

“As soon as you stop caring, that’s when you get on that slippery slide of burnout.” — Cynthia Howard [0:07:10]

“The purpose of this podcast and my Work Smart Club network is to bring together impact-driven leaders who want more success, time, and satisfaction.” — Cynthia Howard [0:09:29]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn

Work Smart Consulting

Work Smart Club Network

Work Smart Club: Recent Episodes

Dr. Cynthia Howard